Loans man jailed for fraud

A former Credit Union North lending manager whose theft of  more than $280,000 was described as "like being robbed by a brother" was yesterday jailed for three years.
Sentencing Anthony Wilbraham, 44 of Bellevue, in the Tauranga District Court, Judge Patrick Treston said the offending had had caused "profound devastation" to a number of people.
The court heard that between February 2001 and October 2008 Wilbraham, who worked at the Mount Maunganui branch, created loan accounts under the names of existing customers withdrew money on a number of occasions and used it himself. All up he took $280,592.37 and spent it on alcohol, bills, gambling and living expenses.

Reading an impact statement in court, Credit Union North chief executive Russell Syme described the result of Wilbraham's offending as like a "death in the family" or being "robbed by a brother".
"Staff had trust and belief in Tony and felt totally betrayed," Mr Syme said.

He said being the one who broke the news to many of Wilbraham's colleagues he saw the "horror and despair" in their eyes.
Wilbraham appeared in court on 44 charges - 30 of fraudulently using a document to gain pecuniary advantage and 14 of accessing a computer for dishonest purposes.
 He had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges.
Wilbraham's lawyer Viv Winiata said his client was "very remorseful" for what he had done and wanted to repay the money as soon as he was back in employment.
But Judge Treston pointed out  that Wilbraham, who was now unemployed, had recently been adjudicated bankrupt and that the Crown was not seeking repayment.
He said any reparation could perhaps be a personal choice and did not order it as part of the sentence.
Judge Treston said alcoholism had been put  forward as a major catalyst for the offending and said alcohol dependency certainly seemed to play a big part in Wilbraham's life.
As Wilbraham was led away tearful family members called out "I love you".