Ex-florist sentenced for changing rivals’ Google map details
By IANSTuesday, February 16, 2010
WELLINGTON - A former New Zealand florist, who changed the details of her competitors on Google map so that customers could not get to their shops, has been sentenced to 100 hours of community service.
Kendra Drinkwater, 40, who ran a company called Napier Florist from her home, committed the offences between Nov 1 and Dec 4 last year. She changed the details of six of her competitors on 100 occasions.
She told the police that it was an “addiction”. She said she changed the details so hers was the only company customers could contact, New Zealand Herald reported Tuesday.
Judge Tony Adeane said that while competitors believed her actions had affected their businesses, the damage could not be quantified so no reparation was being sought.
Apart from community work, she will be under supervision for nine months and has to complete counselling and education programmes.
