A man who ran up a $10,000 bill for his Gisborne wedding plans has been jailed for more than two years after it was revealed he was a con man and his fiancee didn't even know his real name.
Richard Rae Dixon, 37, who had earlier admitted six charges of causing loss by deception, was sentenced to 27 months' imprisonment when he appeared in Gisborne District Court, the Gisborne Herald reported.
In January and February, Dixon used a false name and said he was organising a wedding celebration and a farewell for his dying mother.
Dixon's girlfriend, who only knew him by his false name, believed the wedding was going ahead, the court was told.
He ordered a marquee, chairs, tables, barbecues, lighting and a four-bay shower. They arrived but he failed to pay for them.
A DJ hired to play for three days removed his equipment when it became obvious the event was not going ahead.
The Gisborne Herald at the time reported on the big-spending wedding and Dixon promptly left town. Police arrested him in nearby Wairoa.
Dixon had also ordered nearly $30,000 worth of alcohol and $24,000 worth of catering for 4200 people, but it was never delivered.
Judge Mark Perkins said Dixon had 107 previous convictions for dishonesty offences dating back to 1993 and similar charges were facing him in Auckland in October.
Dixon, who still owes people $60,000 for earlier scams, must serve at least 18 months in jail before becoming eligible for parole.
NZN