So how sick is he?

The Press reports:

A “predatory” sickness beneficiary who conned an elderly Christchurch couple had already been convicted of defrauding a pensioner.

In the Christchurch District Court yesterday, Stephen Gerard Mason, 53, pleaded guilty to obtaining by deception.

So he is too sick to work, but well enough to rip people off.

The court heard how Mason befriended Selwyn and Joy Bruce and, in 2005, began doing household appliance repairs for cash payments.

But well enough also to fix appliances.

I hope both WINZ and IRD have taken an appropriate interest in Mr Mason’s earnings.