Year's home detention for $100,000 GST fraud

An Auckland man was yesterday sentenced to 12 months' home detention for filing false GST returns and claiming more than $100,000 in refunds.

Derek Hugh Perry appeared for sentence in Manukau District Court after earlier admitting 22 charges of GST fraud.

Perry was ordered to pay reparation of $92,326 which was the amount he received. The court was told the offending took place between May 2005 and May 2007.

Evidence was given that Perry committed the fraud as sole director and shareholder of two companies. Derek Perry & Associates was established to invest in residential property in Taupo. Aunty Ruth's Tomato Sauce Company intended to manufacture tomato sauce from a family recipe.

Neither company succeeded, and both ceased operating, but Perry continued to file GST returns and claim refunds.

Derek Perry & Associates filed 13 false returns, claiming refunds totalling $57,960. Aunty Ruth's filed nine returns, and claimed refunds of $44,241 - a total of $102,201.

Perry said ill health meant he could not run his businesses.

- NZPA