‘Unique’ bank fraud case

IN WHAT a Toowoomba magistrate described as an “unusual” and “unique” fraud case, a bank loans officer had forged documents in order to help customers secure loans.

The extent of the fraud amounted to just $2853 which was the bonus paid by the Rangeville Bank of Queensland to loans officer Hanna McLean for exceeding her target of loans acquired.

Defence barrister Jessica Goldie told Toowoomba Magistrates Court that all the loans were still in place, and the bank stood to make a “significant” profit when those loans were repaid.

One of the loans was for her client and her husband, which had been repaid in full, as had the $2853 bonus, she said.

McLean pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and 12 counts of forgery and 12 of uttering.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Natalie Bugden said the offending was committed between December 12, 2018, and March 19, 2019.

Sgt Bugden said it was accepted that the only benefit derived from the defendant was the bonus paid to her but she had been in a position of trust with the bank.

McLean, 36, left the bank the day she was asked about the forged documents.

The court was told McLean had a long work history in the finance industry and that she had no previous criminal history at all.

Ms Goldie said her client suffered a number of longstanding mental health issues outlined in a psychological report put before the court and she had been under considerable pressure at the bank to reach her loans targets.

Though the offending dated back some years, her client’s pleas of guilty were entered at an early stage, Ms Goldie submitted.

Magistrate Kay Philipson said the case contained an “unusual set of circumstances”.

“I consider the nature of the offending quite unique,” she said.

Ms Philipson said she accepted McLean had not been motivated by greed and was remorseful.

“You are clearly remorseful for your offending and no doubt embarrassed,” she told the defendant.

By reports put before the court, McLean had endured a “difficult” childhood and “it seems” the environment of the particular workplace was “an unpleasant place to work”, she said.

However, noting the breach of trust, Ms Philipson sentenced McLean to 12 months’ jail.

But she ordered the whole term be suspended for two years.