14 January 2016
Charges of deception, forgery and lies to protect the land of milk and honey

Charges have been laid by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in the Hamilton District Court against Trevor James Lock (54).

Mr Lock was arrested in Morrinsville on 22 December 2015 and appeared in Court to face 11 charges under the Crimes Act of obtaining by deception, four charges of forgery and two charges of dishonestly using a document. He also faces two charges under the SFO Act for obstructing an SFO investigation.

The charges relate to Mr Lock’s companies, Nubiotics Limited (Nubiotics) and Nu-Brands Limited (Nu-Brands) that claimed to be distributors of dairy and honey products. Through these entities, Mr Lock entered into a number of contracts to supply product – which he failed to complete. Deposits received under the failed contracts were not repaid and the SFO alleges that the money was used by Mr Lock for personal or other business expenses. The charges relate to customer funds to the value of approximately NZ$1.06 million and USD$48,000.

Nubiotics was placed into receivership in August 2014. Mr Lock still has Nu-Brands in operation.

The SFO alleges Mr Lock obtained a pecuniary advantage by evading repayment of customers’ deposits, by making false statements concerning production and supply, by forging copies of bank statements and by dishonestly using other documents. It is also alleged that Mr Lock knowingly supplying false information to the SFO.

SFO Director, Julie Read said, “The SFO considers that there is a strong public interest in prosecuting Mr Lock. We believe his offending involved a significant quantum of money, took place over a number of years, was premeditated and repetitive. The SFO’s role is to prosecute and deter this sort of offending to protect New Zealand businesses who are operating in an honest and ethical manner.”

Mr Lock was remanded on bail without plea and will next appear in the Hamilton District Court on 27 January 2016.

ENDS

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