Discharge for teacher

Press, 28 May 1981, Page 8

Discharge for teacher

A teacher, aged 31. earlier convicted of 27 offences of obtaining credit by fraud, involving $1255. was discharged without conviction and granted final suppression of her name when she appeared for sentence before Judge Paterson in the District Court yesterday. The Judge said the offences, committed between October, last year, and February this year, were, on the face of it, "extremely deceitful." The stolen credit cards belonged to fellow professionals. However, since reading the psychiatric and probation reports and other testimonials, the Judge said the factors which led to the “almost cry for help bout of offending” were clearly of minimal criminal responsibility on the part of the defendant, a first offender. That being so the only possible course, one which he resisted strongly, said the Judge, was to discharge the defendant without conviction. However, she was ordered to pay $250 towards the cost

oi the prosecution. Final suppression of her name was granted. The defendant, who earlier admitted the offences, had committed them while employed at two Christchurch high schools. She had stolen bank cards, three store credit cards, and a cheque book from two teachers. With the use of these she had obtained clothing, books, toys and cutlery. The defendant, a first -offender, had been unable to explain her actions. Counsel (Mr J. Cadenhead) said it was a tragic case; the offences could only be described as a socially suicidal act. His client was a person of excellent family background. Mr Cadenhead said his client was a very sick person who had been suffering from a severe depressive illness for a year. He submitted that the offences were committed in a state of diminished responsibility. Full compensation had I been made.