Woman charged with forgery, theft

An elderly man has asked the Supreme Court to withdraw his complaint against a young woman, who forged his signature and used his chequebook to pay $1,365.60 for goods and services without his knowledge.

The defendant, Winnienora Stowers, of Aleisa, has pleaded guilty to three counts of forgery; three charges of using a forged document; three charges of obtaining by deception; and one count of theft. 

She appeared in Court for sentencing. 

According to the Police summary of facts, the accused is 29-years-old. 

It is alleged that she met the 64-year-old complainant at a local nightclub and after drinks they drove to a local supermarket and slept in the car. 

Afterwards, the defendant asked the complainant if she could use his car for her personal errands. 

It is alleged that while using the car, she took the complainant’s chequebook. 

The first offense occurred in May 2019 with the defendant doing shopping which cost $315.60; the second was a month later when shopping was done at another supermarket costing $900; and third was the payment of a taxi driver with a $250 cheque for personal errands. 

All the three cheques were not honoured by the complainant’s bank. 

During the hearing, the complainant informed the Court that he wanted to withdraw his complaint and that the monetary value of the goods and services taken and used on the three occasions had been paid back.

However, Justice Mata Keli Tuatagaloa postponed the matter.

She ordered that more information such as the victim’s impact report from the three victims, the two supermarkets and the taxi driver. 

The Court was further advised that the defendant has paid back the funds in full.