HIDING: Masterton fraudster Fiona Margaret Wilton aka Teal (rear) covers her face with a sweatshirt while one of her friends tries to shield her from the camera as she leaves Masterton District Court. PHOTO/STAFF
HIDING: Masterton fraudster Fiona Margaret Wilton aka Teal (rear) covers her face with a sweatshirt while one of her friends tries to shield her from the camera as she leaves Masterton District Court. PHOTO/STAFF
A fraudster who systematically stole and gambled away her ill elderly father's retirement fund has been given time to put her affairs in order as she has been told she is likely going to prison.
The offending was uncovered when the man's rest home bill got into arrears.
Yesterday FionaMargaret Wilton aka Teal was due to be sentenced on three counts of fraud she had previously pleaded guilty to.
Wilton had stolen $92,000 from her father between February 2011 and July 2 last year, stealing not only cash through his Eftpos card but redeeming more than $7000 worth of bonus bonds. During this time she was living in his home.
She told police at the time she had a gambling problem. She was remanded for sentencing until yesterday.
Despite police opposition, defence lawyer Virginia Pearson was granted an adjournment for her client.
Mrs Pearson told Masterton District Court she would be making further written submissions and requested a gambling report be completed to assist the court at sentencing.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson told the court it was in the public interest to carry out sentencing as planned and other criminals were not afforded the same courtesy on hearing they'd be going to prison.
"It sends the wrong message to the public on how the court operates," he said.
Judge Mary O'Dwyer said it was "very serious offending" and the most likely outcome would be imprisonment for Wilton.
The judge ordered an alcohol and gambling report be completed to help the court at sentencing which she adjourned until October 23 to give Wilton "time to put your affairs in order".
It's not the first time Wilton has defrauded. In 2011 she was sentenced to home detention after defrauding Work and Income out of more than $50,000 after claiming the sole parent benefit while living with someone and continuing to receive payments after her child had left home and she was receiving income from a business with her then partner.
