Mother of eight jailed for stealing from Chinese company

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 18 July 2019, 9:30PM

A 43-year-old woman from Avao and Lalovaea has been jailed for one year and seven months for stealing $16,263.30 from a Chinese company. 

The woman, who is the mother of eight children, was charged with several theft related charges in relation to several incidents in 2017.

The former employee of Bargain Wholesale pleaded guilty to all the charges.  

According to the summary of facts, the mother was responsible for the delivery of the Bargain Wholesale goods to various stores. 

The goods were sold and invoices were issued for the goods delivered. 

However, on separate occasions the woman – being an employee of the company – received full payments and had written Not Paid on some of the invoices from the shop that did pay. 

She is accused of using the stolen money for her personal use.   

In his recent judgment, Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke said he accepts that the defendant was remorseful and genuine in her repayments of the sum of $2,256. 

The woman apologised to the company for her actions but the company did not accept it until she the stolen money is paid back in full. 

Prosecution had sought a starting point of 4 years for the offence. But Justice Leiataualesa said the starting point for sentence of 4 years was too high. 

He then adopted a starting point of 2 years and 6 months. 

Six months was deducted for the woman’s good character and five more months for her guilty plea.  

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 18 July 2019, 9:30PM
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