A Christchurch pensioner slapped with a AU$3300 (NZ$3704) fine after failing to declare a chicken sandwich at the Australian border has thanked a kind stranger who offered to pay the bill.
June Armstrong told 1News she had bought a sandwich before a 6am flight from Christchurch to Australia on May 2.
"I went on the plane and just forgot about the sandwich," she said.
"I just completely forgot about the sandwich."
The 77-year-old grandmother said she didn't realise her mistake until Australian border officials were going through her declaration card.
"When they looked at my declaration card, they said, 'Well, you’ve got medicine marked' and I said 'yes'.
"It had already gone through the x-rays. They knew that sandwich was there."
She was then taken away by a biosecurity officer who pulled out the sandwich.
"I saw it and I said, 'I’m sorry – I forgot about that. Could you throw it away?'
"I didn’t really think I was in trouble because I don’t do things like that – I would never endanger New Zealand or Australia, or any country."
Armstrong said she hadn't realised the gravity of the situation until the officer returned with a form with the AU$3300 (NZ$3704) fine.
"It was my own fault, but I could not understand," she said.
"I said, ‘I beg your pardon? What does that mean?' And he growled and he said, '12 points, $3300'. I said, 'You’re joking'.
"It wasn’t even opened. I just couldn’t believe it. I actually was quite hysterical. I really think I was."
When converted to New Zealand dollars, the fine added up to $3704 "and that's nine weeks of my pension", she said.
Had the forgotten sandwich been picked up by border officials, Armstrong would have received a maximum fine of $460.
After attempting to appeal the fine with no response from officials and the prospect of a costly court case to contest the charge, Armstrong paid the penalty.
Armstrong was last night told that a kind stranger had offered to pay the bill after hearing about her ordeal.
"I just can’t believe that a stranger would do that for you. I mean, he said to me, ‘I’ve got the money’ but that isn’t the point – he must have a good heart too.
"He’s a giver and he deserves everything he’s got."
Armstrong gave a word of advice to others who might get caught up in the same situation: "Just check your bags. Check your bags".
SHARE ME