Ross delusional, court told

Evidence Kenneth Ross created "bogus" correspondence docu-ments to show he had secured the rights to a popular television mini-series reflected a man who was both delusional and dishonest, a court has been told.

Ross' defended hearing concluded at the Hamilton District Court yesterday with prosecution and defence counsels giving their closing addresses to Judge Robert Spear.

Reflecting on almost 3 1/2 weeks of evidence, prosecutor Nick Flanagan said Ross' organisation and marketing of the failed Wings and Wheels over Waikato air show was "not just bad business but deceit in the criminal sense".

Ross faces 35 charges in relation to the failed venture: 14 criminal fraud charges and 21 charges – consolidated from 119 – laid under the Fair Trading Act.

"What (Ross) did is cost real people real money," Mr Flanagan said.

"Mr Ross is not just delusional, he is not just incompetent, he is also dishonest."

The air show was to be held at Hamilton International Airport on March 7-9 last year, but was postponed by Ross to February this year. It never happened.

Mr Flanagan said Ross' "reflex" was to lie his way out of trouble and blame everyone but himself.

Mr Flanagan said evidence showed Ross doctored correspondence between himself and ITV staff to indicate he had made inquiries to purchase the rights to the popular mini-series Piece of Cake in September, 2006.

He said Ross did not make inquiries about the mini-series until November, 2006 – a month after he presented an air show proposal including the mini-series plans to Hamilton International Airport management.

Ross had simply created the "bogus" chain of correspondence.

Earlier this week the court heard evidence from Alison Fawcett, the head of legal affairs for ITV.

Ms Fawcett, speaking from London via video link, said no evidence existed of correspondence between Ross and ITV staff in September, 2006.

Mr Flanagan said Ross' actions in promoting the event, and in particular claims a United States jet aerobatic team would be participating, were false, deliberate and "designed to cause people loss".

"This sort of behaviour is now criminal and deserves to be treated as such."

Defence counsel Andrew Speed conceded Ross' organisation of the air show was not perfect.

Ross had perhaps been overly optimistic in promoting his show but had acted with the best intentions in often difficult circumstances.

"There was a general will to put on an air show of international quality," Mr Speed said.

Ross had used the logo of the International Council of Air Shows on documents because he had aspired to their ideals.

Mr Speed rejected any notion Ross had attempted to fleece the public with his air show venture.

Instead Ross' management of ticket holders' money was meticulous, and he had employed "good people" to help organise the event.

"It seems such a huge exercise for very little show," Mr Speed said.

Judge Spear reserved his decision until later this month.

Ross was further remanded on bail.