Musical fraudster released on parole

Former Nelson Symphony Orchestra musical director and conductor David Lindup has been released from prison on parole after serving time for GST fraud, and is understood to be back in Nelson.

British-born Lindup was sentenced to three years and eight months' prison in June last year after admitting nine charges of lodging false GST returns in 2007.

The charges related to claims he made for the purchase of musical instruments he did not buy.

Lindup's company, Lindup Holdings, was put into liquidation in January after an application by the Inland Revenue Department, to which the company owes $1.163 million.

Lindup was released from prison on September 28 this year after becoming eligible for parole on July 29. His sentence ends in January 2012.

In its decision, the New Zealand Parole Board said the victim of Lindup's crime was the New Zealand taxpayer and it had to assess whether Lindup would pose an undue risk to the safety of the community, and if he was likely to reoffend between now and the end of his sentence.

In Lindup's favour was the fact the charges were his first convictions, he had behaved well in prison, and had strong community support, "and the board very rarely sees such a large volume of letters written in support of an offender".

Lindup was declared bankrupt in September, and the board said that meant the likelihood of him being in a position where he could commit fraud in the same way was unlikely.

The board set a number of special release conditions, including that he was to undertake and complete treatment/counselling, and notify his probation officer before starting employment, terminating or changing it.

The Nelson Mail approached Nelson Symphony Orchestra chairman Richard Wells for comment on whether the orchestra would take Lindup back or if it had an opening for a conductor, but he declined to comment.

In May last year Mr Wells expressed support for Lindup, saying he was shocked at his crime but that Lindup had made a huge contribution to the orchestra and he hoped he would return to lead it.

- © Fairfax NZ News