A handyman accused of swindling clients out of more than $114,000 spent much of the money on gambling, massages, and cryptocurrency purchases, a court has heard.
According to a report by Stuff, Andrew Trevor Hill, 50, appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to a representative charge of obtaining by deception, an offence carrying a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
According to the summary of facts, Hill gained about $114,000 through the offence. Defence lawyer Philip Ross told the court his client could provide $1000 towards reparations the following day, but Judge Nevin Dawson dismissed the offer.
“Mr Hill is an accomplished conman,” the judge said, as quoted by Stuff.
Judge Dawson also noted Hill’s offending history in both New Zealand and Australia, as well as what he described as a pattern of failing to keep promises. The court had no evidence Hill was employed or even possessed the money he claimed he could repay.
“What he says doesn’t impress me,” Dawson said.
The sentencing was ultimately adjourned until August because the court had not yet received submissions from police.
Hill had operated Andrew Till Fencing Ltd, where he was the sole director and shareholder, before the company was removed from the register. Trading in Gisborne between June and September 2024, he offered services including fencing, concreting, decking, and earth-moving, as reported by Stuff.
Police received more than a dozen complaints from customers across Gisborne, Wairoa, and Mahia who said they had paid large deposits for work that was never completed.
Investigators said Hill quoted jobs for 14 victims over a three-month period and collected deposits despite having no intention of finishing the work.
“The defendant received deposits from the victims for the quotes with no intention of completing the work,” the summary said, Stuff has quoted.
A review of Hill’s business bank account showed he received more than $352,000 in deposits during that time. Authorities alleged he withdrew $38,000 in cash, spent around $60,000 on personal expenses including “gambling, massages and cryptocurrency purchases”, and transferred another $75,000 into his personal account.
According to a report by Stuff, victims had hired Hill for projects ranging from drainage and tree work to fencing and concrete slabs. In many cases, police said he either failed to begin the work or abandoned jobs after starting them, before cutting off communication.
One client reportedly paid $24,000 for a carport installation, driveway concreting, and decking. Hill allegedly spent only one day demolishing old concrete and decking before disappearing and failing to answer further messages, as reported by Stuff.
All victims are seeking reparations.
During a police interview, Hill claimed his business “got too big too quick” and that he lacked the funds needed to cover wages and labour costs, as reported by Stuff.
Although defence counsel suggested Hill could be considered for home detention, Judge Dawson indicated imprisonment was likely.
Hill also has a prior conviction in Australia. In 2019, he was sentenced in New South Wales to 22 months in prison for similar offending, although the non-parole period was later reduced on appeal, Stuff has reported.