Bradley John Croft Sentenced for Extensive Fraud and Theft Spree

A 42-year-old man from Wellington, Bradley John Croft, has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison for a four-year criminal spree that saw him defraud government agencies, steal from supermarkets, and damage property across the Wellington region. The Hamilton District Court handed down the sentence after a detailed review of the extensive criminal record of this serial offender.

A Pattern of Criminal Behavior

Between September 2020 and November 2021, Croft targeted boats in Porirua and Lower Hutt, slashing boat covers and stealing items such as petrol tanks, marine electronics, fishing rods, and life jackets. The total value of the stolen goods is estimated at around $38,566.40 in reparations. This pattern of theft extended to supermarkets, where he stole meat valued at approximately $1,300 and a $614 car battery from Supercheap Porirua.

Fraudulent Applications to Government Agencies

Croft’s criminal activities were not limited to theft. He submitted 39 fake applications to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) for the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme, falsely claiming to be a sole trader. He applied for a total of $133,931.60, of which he received $12,916. Thirty-six of his applications were later declined. He also submitted 12 small business loan applications to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), totaling $152,400, with five loans approved. Additionally, he fraudulently applied for $220,529.18 in tax-related schemes, receiving $62,600 in total, with most applications rejected due to a lack of business expenditure.

Addiction and Gang Affiliation

Croft’s criminal behavior was driven by methamphetamine addiction and his association with a gang. He used the alias 'brad the mad' in communications with an associate about defrauding the wage subsidy scheme. Messages such as 'Yee haa mad check my balance' and 'Nah mad they all coming back declined' were uncovered during the investigation. His addiction was further evidenced by the discovery of a ziplock bag of methamphetamine on him after his arrest in May 2024, following an attempted theft of toothbrushes from New World Churton Park.

Sentencing and Legal Implications

During his sentencing, Judge Arthur Tompkins noted that Croft had been on electronically monitored bail and continued to commit offenses while on bail. The judge found that no reparation could be ordered for the MSD and IRD fraud charges, but both agencies could potentially deduct funds from his benefit in the future. Croft was found guilty on 54 charges, including criminal damage, theft, shoplifting, receiving and possessing meth, and obtaining by deception.

A Major Impact on Public Trust

The total value of Croft’s offenses, if all had gone unchallenged, would have reached approximately $466,000. This has raised serious concerns about the integrity of government support schemes and the need for stronger safeguards against fraud. The case has also highlighted the broader issue of methamphetamine addiction and its impact on criminal behavior in the community.

This sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of criminal behavior and the importance of addressing underlying issues such as addiction in the justice system.