Jail term to hinge on fraud payback

RENEE Moana Hill has six weeks to pay back $46,000 that she took from her former employer, otherwise she will go to jail.

The 38-year-old Cairns woman pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of fraud.

Hill had started as a receptionist/assistant with Aus Mining Personnel in April 2013 and by 2015, when the offending occurred, she was completing the payroll.

Between February 17 and September 30, Hill fraudulently took $71,091.70 over 34 transactions placed into her brother’s account.

Crown Prosecutor Nicole Friedewald told Cairns District Court that it was part of an alleged arrangement between Hill and a co-accused, who also worked at the company.

Ms Friedewald said a ghost employee’s account was set up in MYOB, which allowed for the payments to be made.

“There was in the Crown’s submission a level of planning and sophistication,” she said.

In a victim impact statement, Hill’s employer described it as the “worst business experience of his life”.

A cheque for $25,000 was presented to the court as partial restitution. Ms Friedewald said that the offending was so serious that Hill should spend some time in jail.

Defence barrister John Fraser argued that his client could receive a wholly suspended jail term.

Hill was working full time as an administration officer with a state community organisation and she looked after her husband’s daughters when he was away for work.

Mr Fraser said that it could be argued that, if it weren’t for the co-accused, the offending might not have occurred.

The court was told Hill was hoping to apply for a loan to pay back the rest of the money.

She was jailed for 18 months to be wholly suspended if she makes full restitution by August 5, otherwise she will go to jail for three months.