The Courts Woman admits theft of welfare payments

Press, 31 October 1979, Page 5

The Courts Woman admits theft of welfare payments

P ' Hamilton A Aomar. who did not the Socia! Welfare Department that her mother-n-:a had died collected Sm 4 4 -1 i n superannuation menu, the Magistrate’s tf urt at Hamilton heard A domestic purposes • aged 34. p.eaded guilty to two charges of theft one connected with 27 welfare payments orders taken in 19/<, and the other with 20 orders tn 1976. The defendant, who was separated from her husband two years ago and suppons five children *ged from 14 months to 12 years, was granted interim suppression of name. Sergeant A. Kensington said that the woman was

I • jiving with her mother-in-law in Warkworth when the elder woman died The eider woman had been on a superannuation benefit, he said. "The department was not told of the death, and the orders continued to be sent through the post." Sergeant Kensington said. During 1977 the defendant received 27 payments orders valued at $2504, and in 1978 20 orders worth $1977. When interviewed she admitted the offences. “She said that she had started and could not stop, but she is glad she has been caught." Sergeant Kensington said Mr T B Mooney. S.M.. remanded the woman on bail to November 12 for a report and sentence.