Woman fails to show for cricket theft case
A FORMER Cricket Tasmania receptionist fighting allegations that she stole thousands of dollars in cash and memberships from her workplace has failed to front court in person.
Renee Ferguson, 48, could have a warrant issued for her arrest if she again doesn’t appear at a March hearing date at the Hobart Magistrates Court.
On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason heard Ms Ferguson took a Covid PCR test and a RAT earlier this week after concerns about flu-like symptoms, but returned negative results on both occasions.
The former Howrah woman, who now lives interstate, was expected to travel to Tasmania for a twoday contested court hearing this week.
She appeared in court via telephone link on Thursday.
It has been more than three years since Ms Ferguson first appeared in court over the allegations, with proceedings beleaguered by a string of delays.
Her lawyer Greg Barns SC said Ms Ferguson was planning to attend a GP on Thursday, but that he had no medical material to file in court.
Police prosecutor Andrew Tye said Ms Ferguson “appears to be making efforts to avoid court”.
He said the charges dated back to September 2017, with Ms Ferguson repeatedly not having turned up for court dates since June 2018.
“Suffice it to say from that point forward, I don’t believe the defendant has been in the state and physically attended court,” he said.
“It’s been set for hearing a number of times and it hasn’t progressed.
“Since that time, the CEO of Cricket Tasmania has now become the CEO of Cricket Victoria.
“It appears that none of the witnesses currently work for
Cricket Tasmania due to the longevity of this matter.”
Ms Ferguson was able to provide proof that she had purchased an airline ticket to appear at this week’s hearing in Hobart.
Chief Magistrate Geason set down a contest mention with a sentence indication hearing for March 31.
If the matter doesn’t finalise at that stage, a two-day contested hearing will be held on May 26 and 27.
She ordered Ms Ferguson to attend.
“If you don’t attend, there’s a high likelihood a warrant will be issued for your arrest,” she said.
Ms Ferguson has pleaded not guilty to 63 counts of stealing and two counts of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage.
It is alleged that Ms Ferguson fraudulently obtained a $705 Cricket Tasmania junior and platinum membership, a $339 Hobart Hurricanes family membership, and stole $1942 in cash.