Elderly victims of a former Rotorua financial adviser say they feel justice is done now the woman responsible for stealing approximately $1 million of their money is behind bars.
Linnet Bernadine Lewis, 55, was sentenced in the High Court at Rotorua today to five years and five months' prison having pleaded guilty to 16 representative charges of theft by a person in a special relationship.
The charges were laid by the Serious Fraud Office.
Lewis' offending spanned more than six years from 2004 to 2011 and targeted elderly victims many of whom, according to their impact statements, considered her a close friend. All victims have permanent name suppression.
While working for a previous employer Lewis "developed bonds" with some of her clients, with several considering her to be a close friend.