Woman accused of theft from Maraekakaho Sport Club faces court

A woman has appeared in the Hastings District Court after allegedly stealing around $12,000 from the Maraekakaho Sports Club in 2015. Photo / File

A woman alleged to have stolen about $12,000 from the Maraekakaho Sports Club has appeared in court.

Ana Lani Arnott, 49, appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday charged with one representative count of theft and two of using a document for pecuniary advantage.

The Maraekakaho woman was arrested by police at the end of last month after allegedly stealing from the local sports club in 2015.

Police said that at the time of the alleged offending Arnott was known to the club and had access to its accounts and funds.

She was charged with stealing $2200 cash from the club in September 2015 and using various cheques belonging to the club in July and September that same year.

Maraekakaho Sports Club president Kate Renton said Arnott had been a personal friend and involved with the club for many years.

She became secretary about three years ago but was now no longer involved with the club, Ms Renton said. It was understood she was also involved in a variety of other local clubs.

Yesterday Arnott briefly appeared and was remanded without plea on bail to appear again on October 10.

At the time of the arrest, police wanted to take the opportunity to remind clubs to ensure they have strict practices in place around the handling of club funds to help prevent this type of offending.

Each of the charges laid against Arnott carries a maximum penalty of seven years' jail.