Worker to repay stolen money

WELLINGTON: A supermarket worker who stole nearly $20,000 worth of gift cards from her employer has been ordered to pay the money back.

Marise Te Puni appeared in the Hutt Valley District Court earlier this week on one charge of dishonestly accessing a computer system to obtain a pecuniary advantage.

Te Puni, who has no previous convictions, earlier pleaded guilty to the charge, Judge Patrick Grace said.

The offending spanned several months from mid2019 to early 2020, during which time the Lower Hutt woman had access to the cash register system, which could be used to load money on to gift cards for customers.

In total, she stole $19,696.25 worth of gift cards.

Judge Grace sentenced her to six months of community detention, with a daily curfew of 8pm to 7am.

He also ordered her to pay the full amount stolen in reparation. — The New Zealand Herald