A Rotorua painter has admitted a charge of obtaining by deception after he was paid $400 for a paint job he did not do.
Nicholas Russell Matenga, 49, appeared before a Community Magistrate in the Rotorua District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining $400 by deception.
According to the police summary of facts, Matenga walked into the Ranolf Bakery in December last year when the owner was preparing for the bakery's grand opening the next day.
Matenga introduced himself to the owner and walked around the bakery, looking at the fresh paint work. He made comments implying the work had not been done properly and said he had over 25 years' experience.
Matenga said he had a big job on but it was outside work that he could not complete because of poor weather.