‘Deathbed’ lie to obtain $l5

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34045, 8 January 1976, Page 2

‘Deathbed’ lie to obtain $l5

rreii WANGANUI, January 7. An elderly pensioner j parted with SI 5 when Millie Amiria Rapana cried on the doorstep, asking for money to travel to Taumarunui where, she said, her father was on his deathbed. the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court was told today. 1 Rapana. aged 21. an unemI ployed community nurse, ipleaded gui|& to obtaining

Sl5 from the pensioner by falsely representing that her father was about to die. Her companion, Margaret Tamati, aged 17, an unemployed woolshed worker, pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain $l5 by falsely representing that a “Mike Downs” was about to die. Sergeant L. B. Blue said .that Rapana called at the pensioner’s house in Wanga!nui at 10.15 a.m. yesterday and showed her a letter nrinted in pencil, stating that her (Rapana’s) father was seriously ill in Taumarunui Hospital with a heart ailment. Sergeant Rapana

appeared distressed and was openly crying. The pensioner handed her $l5. Other attempts to get money in the area were unsuccessful, and Rapana later admitted that the letter was “pure fabrication.” Tamati was at home when Rapana arrived shortly before midday. Rapana said she was going house-to-house with the letter. Sergeant Blue said Tamati went with Rapana. Tamati knocked on a door and offered the letter. She became frightened, made a bogus inquiry about non-existent people, and left.

Found shortly before 1 p.m., Tamati said she knew her friend was doing wrong. Tamati, who had not previously appeared in court, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. She was ordered to pay $lO towards nrosecution costs. Rapana. who had previously appeared for a similar ; offence, according to Sergeant Blue, was convicted and remanded on $3OO bail until January 20 for a probation report and sentence. Mr J. C. K. Fabian. S.M., was the Bench.