Name lands NZ fishing rep in hot water with law again

Aucklander Peter James Scott is now $170 out of pocket and seriously considering changing his name. Photo / Richard Robinson

For the second time in as many months, Aucklander Peter James Scott has fallen foul of the authorities because he shares his name and birthday with a known drug dealer.

Last month, the Weekend Herald revealed Mr Scott, 58, was stopped from boarding his flight to the fly-fishing world championships in Poland when a border alert popped up against his name, compliments of the Warkworth-based criminal who also has the same date of birth.

This time, the court system has come calling, demanding payment for an unpaid fine on a BMW car he doesn't even own.

The fine, which dates back to 2007, is believed to belong to the Warkworth Mr Scott, who is due to be sentenced for cannabis cultivation and possession this month. It is understood he has a history of offending and uses several aliases.

The Auckland Mr Scott is now $170 out of pocket and seriously considering changing his name. "I'm finding out whether if I change my name I have to change insurance, mortgages etc," he told the Herald.

Mr Scott was competing in Poland when his wife, Lynley, found a notice in the mailbox of their Mangere Bridge home.

When she phoned the number given, she found out the letter was from the court and was regarding an outstanding fine on a car.

Mrs Scott was told staff had come calling to seize property to the value of the fine.

But when given the registration number, she said, "Look, we don't own a car with that registration number."

The court worker advised her to front up in person, so Mrs Scott took half a day off work to do so. Lining up at the fines counter, she was told there was a form her husband could fill in if he believed the fine wasn't his. But because he was away and she didn't have power of attorney, nothing could be done.

Mrs Scott was told the fine still had to be paid or bailiffs would return to her house.

The Scotts say they will fight to recover the BMW payment.

The Ministry of Justice national operations manager (collections), Prema Waghorn, said the court collects fines imposed by prosecuting authorities where payment is not made within 56 days of an offence.

"Any party who disputes a fine has the right to appeal by approaching the nearest district court."

When it was pointed out the courts were not so helpful in resolving the Scotts' problem, a spokesman said Mr Scott would need to go to the court in person and fill in the form to start the process of getting a refund.

Partners not in crime

Name: Peter James Scott. No other names.

Age: 58.

Birthdate: March 11, 1952.

Resides: Auckland.

* Former national fly-fishing champion, representative cross-country runner and author of New Zealand's Best Trout Flies.

* Owner of Rod & Reel fishing gear store.

* Married with two sons.


Name: Peter James Scott. Also goes by surname Wilson and other aliases.

Age: 58.

Birthdate: March 11, 1952.

Resides: Warkworth.

* Convicted of cannabis cultivation and possession, awaiting sentencing.