Beauty scammer sentenced

A woman who ripped off a Taranaki beauty salon to the tune of $1100 was not able to make good on her promise to repay the money in full because her loan application was declined, a court has heard.

On July 24 last year, Paige Jane Bertrand booked herself in for a 30-minute cosmetic appointment at the Jichelle Health and Beauty salon in Stratford.

The beauty session involved Bertrand receiving either Botox or facial fillers and the work, which was non-surgical in nature, needed to be carried out by a registered nurse.

The summary of facts said when Bertrand went to the counter to pay, she told salon staff she had left her credit card in her car.

She left the salon under the guise of getting the card but never came back.

Numerous attempts by staff to get hold of Bertrand on her cellphone were unsuccessful.

The police summary said when officers eventually caught up with the 27-year-old, she told them she did not pay for the treatment ‘‘as she wasn’t happy with it’’.

Bertrand pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining by deception.

At her sentencing in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday, lawyer Susan Hurley said the defendant had attended a restorative justice meeting with the salon’s owner.

At the conference, Bertrand apologised and also agreed to make a full payment in terms of the outstanding reparation.

However, Hurley said Bertrand could not pay all the money as agreed, as the loan she applied for to cover the payment had been declined.

Bertrand, who has a history of dishonesty, was able to pay the sum back at $50 per week, Hurley added.

Judge Lynne Harrison said she was ‘‘disappointed’’ the full reparation could not be paid, as per the agreement.

She ordered Bertrand to pay the outstanding reparation and complete 60 hours of community work.

Salon owner Leigh Cleland said she was pleased Bertrand had been held to account.

‘‘I’m happy that something has come of it and hopefully she won’t be able to do it to anyone else again,’’ Cleland said.

‘‘We didn’t think that we would see any money.’’

Cleland said she had been shocked by Bertrand’s actions and had gone to great lengths to give her the opportunity to pay before contacting police.

‘‘It was unjust of her to come in and do that to us. It has never happened to me before and I have been in business for 25 years.’’