A woman who worked as a cleaner has admitted to stealing cash and other items from the homes of her customers – including a woman who had recently died – and selling them through social media, but has escaped conviction because she has no prior criminal history.
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The 51-year-old woman pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court yesterday to charges of theft and obtaining property by deception.
The court heard the woman did cleaning for three victims for cash payments.
During her time cleaning the properties, the woman stole items including jewellery, sunglasses, watches, cutlery, crockery and cash, and sold some of them through ‘buy swap sell’ pages on Facebook. Some items she kept.
More from court:
One customer noticed a number of items were missing from the jewellery box of his recently deceased wife, and installed a CCTV camera.
He was watching footage live on his phone when he saw the woman go into the wardrobe and go through the clothes, taking cash from the pocket of a pair of pants, but then returning it.
The man and his in-laws went back to the home and confronted the woman, who told them she was in a bad place, but would not admit to stealing the missing jewellery.
The court heard the woman was co-operative with police and directed them to a room in her home where a number of stolen items were hidden.
She was “remorseful and tearful” when speaking with investigators, police prosecutor Senior Constable Mick Arnott said, and told them she had always struggled with money and had issues with her mental health.
She told police she had only taken the items to acquire money to pay bills.
There was evidence of the sales of certain items on her phone.
Some, but not all, items were recovered.
Defence lawyer Jill Prior said her client was made redundant from her job in 2012, then a series of events – including a violent relationship – saw her lose her ‘nest egg’ and her house.
Ms Prior said the woman’s mental health declined to the point she could no longer work, and at the time of her offending, was not taking her medication.
In sentencing the woman, magistrate John Murphy said the only factor that saved her from a harsher penalty was that she had no prior convictions at her age.
But he said it was “despicable” she had stolen property belonging to a woman who had recently died, and for whom she had been a support.
Mr Murphy sentenced the woman to a two-year undertaking of good behaviour and to pay $1500 to the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
