The owner of the Hospital Foodmarket and Dairy has appeared in court pleading not guilty to receiving 358 bottles of stolen wine worth more than $4000.
Rajeshkumar (Raj) Patel, 34, entered the plea through lawyer Jock Blathwayt when he was called before the registrar in Masterton District Court yesterday.
Police allege that between March 25 and September 25 this year, Patel received 301 bottles of 12,000 Miles Pinot Gris 2013 wine, 33 bottles of Gladstone Vineyard Rose 2013 wine and 24 bottles of Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Gris 2013, valued at $4544.78, reckless as to whether it had been stolen or not.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years' jail.
Patel was remanded on bail to reappear on November 27 for a case review.
