A rest home worker stole $37,000 from three elderly residents to feed her gambling habit.
In her role as a recreational co-ordinator at Titoki Manor in Masterton, Kay Ngakupa Allen had access to cash in the "comfort fund", which was administered by the home on behalf of the residents.
Familiesand residents contributed to the fund and Allen was responsible for buying personal items such as clothing, toiletries or obtaining cash for the residents.
Between August 2004 and April 2005, she made 98 transactions from the accounts of the three residents - $28,000 was stolen from a married couple and $9000 from a woman.
Allen, 49, was sentenced yesterday at Masterton District Court to nine months in jail on charges of theft and causing loss by deception. She was granted leave by Judge Bruce Davidson to apply for home detention.
Allen's lawyer Ken Daniels told the court Allen had had a difficult and troubled life but until now had never come before the court.
He said that when she was arrested, Allen had felt great relief because she had become increasingly stressed about her offending.
Mr Daniels said her offending was directly related to her gambling to which she became immediately addicted.
But two weeks after her arrest she had referred herself to the Wairarapa Addiction Service and had not gambled since then.
He said Allen was also totally committed to "paying back every cent to the complainants".
But Judge Davidson said Allen's offending has been sustained, determined and pre-meditated.
He said while he took into account several mitigation features -- her guilty plea, willingness to repay the money, co-operation with the police to determine the exact amount of reparation, her continued counselling and her remorse -- he could not overlook the extent of the loss.
"Jail must be imposed to reflect the ongoing breach of trust, the considerable effect on the victims and the considerable amount of money," Judge Davidson said.
On each charge Allen was also ordered to pay reparation of $2000, at $20 a week. Judge Davidson said that order did not relieve Allen of her promise to pay the full amount.
