Man represents himself in court on tax charges

A Hillend farmer charged with failing to file tax returns for four years insisted he had no income when he appeared in the Balclutha District Court yesterday.

Trevor Gordon Bell, 57, was charged with failing to furnish tax returns from 2004 to 2007 and GST returns from 2005 to 2007.

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll told Bell that he had been advised since September 9, 2008, to get legal advice but was still representing himself.

The judge insisted on having the proceedings taped because he was sure that Bell would appeal his decision in the future.

Prosecuting counsel Bill Wright cited tax laws showing absolute liability to furnish returns and Bell had not deregistered himself for GST, therefore was still liable to furnish the returns.

Gaynor Gamble, from the Inland Revenue Department, said Bell was charged $8315.74 default assessment for the 2003-04 year when he first failed to lodge a return, but had never paid the account. "He has sent in six forms showing simply `nil' returns, but no figures to back this up," Mrs Gamble said.

"I cannot find any sign of any other income, no welfare benefits or wages but the GST returns for 2004 show taxable activity."

Bell insisted he had wound things up with his accountant last year and understood that he was finished with the tax department. When asked under cross-examination what he had been living on, Bell replied he did not live well but had been working at times.

He basically had been living off savings that were not kept in the bank, and had good friends and strong family support to help him at times, he said.

Judge O'Driscoll said he had no option but to find Bell guilty.

"You have an absolute liability to put in the forms. If you are still registered for GST, you will continue to commit an offence until you put in a final return."

Bell will be sentenced on March 25.

Failing to stop
A teenager who drove at speeds of up to 90kmh around the streets of Balclutha for 10 minutes on December 18, and went through 13 give-way intersections without stopping while ignoring the police chase behind her, was convicted for failing to stop, driving while disqualified, reckless driving and dangerous driving and will be sentenced on March 24. Amberley Rose Findlay, 18, unemployed, was also charged with possession of cannabis and cannabis pipe on October 25 and breaching community work on November 7.

Assault
Kim Anthony Wereta, 42, meat worker, of Inch Clutha, was sentenced to 100 hours' community work for assaulting a female at Balclutha on October 15.

Nardia Matekino Maisie Whaitiri, 29, shed hand, of Lawrence, was fined $700 for assaulting a police officer at Gisborne on October 26. On charges of obstructing a police officer and resisting police, arising from the same incident, Whaitiri was convicted and discharged. For breaching bail on October 31, she was fined a further $400.

Theft
Tony Raymond Dinkelaar, 21, unemployed, of Kaitangata, was sentenced to 150 hours' community work for three charges of theft on June 19. He was ordered to pay $1160 reparation. On a charge of breach of community work he was convicted and discharged.

Driving while suspendedWayne Alan Gordon-Glassford, 39, shearer, of Milton, was fined $350 and disqualified from driving for six months for driving while suspended at Milton on June 9.

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