David Carroll is wanted by police from Hamilton north Warnings are being issued from the gay community about a smooth-talking 'con artist' who has left a trail of unpaid bills, after spouting claims he has been a chef to Coldplay and has just broken up with a rich Greek husband. David Nepia Carroll, 40, also known as David Palmer and Sam Palmer, is accused of ripping off a number of gay stays, as far afield as Piha, Grey Lynn and Ruakaka. Julia Woodhouse from Piha’s Black Sands Lodge says Carroll, who went by the last name Palmer while staying at her lodge, owes her and her partner money for accommodation. She says after he left she found a credit card stolen from a Waiheke man in his cottage. “He is gay and a big talker with all the answers so this is just a warning to everyone,” she has told fellow gay stay owners. “Because he was ‘family’ we trusted him, but don’t. He spins all sorts of stories about being married to a Greek guy and splitting up and getting lots of property from this. He is in a fantasy world and dangerous so beware.” As well as leaving Ruakaka’s La Belle Maison without paying for three nights’ accommodation, it's alleged a computer, camera, cash, cheques and medicine went missing upon his departure. The Herald on Sunday reports Carroll is also accused of leaving the Cancer Society's Domain Lodge near Auckland City Hospital $800 out of pocket, and stealing a car from the sister of a man he met at K’ Rd gay bar Family. Carroll has a number of fraud, theft and burglary convictions and has also been jailed for inducing a boy aged 12 to 16 to do an indecent act. There is a warrant for his arrest for failing to appear at the Manukau District Court last August for breaching his release conditions. Ruakaka Constable Mark Stuart has told the Herald on Sunday he and “eight police officers from Hamilton north” want to speak to Carroll about numerous complaints. Have you had a run in with this man who goes by the names of David Carroll, Sam Palmer, David Palmer (and perhaps others)? Email news@gaynz.com You can discuss this gay New Zealand community news story on the GayNZ.com forum here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 20th June 2012 - 11:45am