Hacker and flatmate ‘like sisters’

A woman who stole thousands of dollars by hacking into her flatmate’s internet banking said she was ‘‘bored hanging around the house’’.

Jessica Raeleen Wilson, 24, borrowed her flatmate’s computer to apply for jobs, but found the woman’s online banking username and password had been saved to the computer.

Wilson transferred money to her own bank account several times between October 20 and November 13, transferring $2557 in total.

When spoken to by police, Wilson said she spent the money on drugs and takeaways.

Wilson was receiving a benefit. She stole the money because she had no money left over each week after paying bills, she told police.

She admitted a charge of using a computer for dishonest purposes and appeared for sentencing at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.

Her lawyer Laurie Murdoch said she was ‘‘pretty impressed’’ at Wilson’s attempts to turn her life around.

She had won a scholarship through the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and she would be tested regularly for drugs during the course, as well as before starting an internship.

Wilson had found a Havelock address suitable for community detention, and was working at a vineyard.

Judge Patrick Treston said Wilson and her former flatmate were ‘‘like sisters’’, according to the vic- tim impact statement.

The money taken by Wilson was money the woman was saving to buy a car. ‘‘She trusted you as a friend,’’ Treston said.

She told probation she regretted hurting her friend, but she was ‘‘bored hanging around the house’’, Judge Treston said.

He convicted Wilson and sentenced her to four months’ community detention, and 12 months’ intensive supervision. She was also ordered to pay $2557 in reparation.