Fraudster spared jail, fined $7 500

A Pinelands man has avoided prison time after being handed a two-year, six-month suspended sentence and fined $7 500 on fraud charges in the No. 4 Supreme Court.

Deigo King, of No. 4 York Terrace, appeared before Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell, charged with endeavouring to obtain money on a forged bill of exchange.

The court heard that sometime between August 9 and 16, 2018, King committed the offence of intent to defraud, attempting to obtain $78 845.44 from Choo’s Enterprises Limited after he presented a forged RBC Royal Bank cheque made out to himself but drawn on the business account of Choo’s Enterprises.

King had earlier maintained during proceedings that he was not the “mastermind” of the operation but had been “put in” the situation by others — a claim the judge accepted as a mitigating factor in assessing his culpability.

King originally pleaded not guilty on July 20, 2023, but subsequently entered a guilty plea on March 25, 2025.

While the prosecution argued that the “custodial threshold” was crossed due to the high value of the fraud, the judge considered the recovery of the funds and King’s clean record grounds to spare him a custodial sentence in favour of a fine.

In handing down her judgment, Justice Smith-Bovell took into consideration that King had no prior convictions, a favourable pre-sentencing report, his role as caregiver to a close relative, and his good standing in the community.

She emphasised the seriousness of such crimes and their potential impact on the economy.

“Crimes of a financial nature regarding forged documents wreak havoc on our banking and financial systems and have serious effects on our economy, no matter how large or small the sum. I am sure you have seen that many of the businesses, not all of them, accept cheques as a means of payment.”

Justice Smith-Bovell imposed a suspended sentence of two years and six months, meaning King must avoid trouble during that time.

King was also ordered to pay $7 500 immediately before being released.