Conviction but no penalty for Anzac theft

A Wanganui woman involved in stealing Anzac Day donations from an elderly poppy seller has been convicted, but no penalty has been imposed.

Miria Wikohika, 21, was sentenced yesterday to come up before the court if called upon.

Prior to sentencing, she went through a Restorative Justice conference with the daughter and grandson of the woman she and a friend stole the money from. Three RSA members also attended the conference.

On April 17 Wikohika and the friend were at New World in Victoria Avenue when the friend swiped money from the elderly collector outside the supermarket. The pair spent the money at McDonald's.

The friend was only 14-years-old, and has been dealt with in the Youth Court.

It was estimated the bucket of donations contained about $300, though police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Willemsen told Whanganui District Court that the amount could be anywhere between $50 and $300.

Wanganui RSA general manager Dave Large said Wikohika had done some work with the RSA and paid back some of the stolen money.

"One of our members thought she was a very nice girl," Mr Large said of Wikohika.

"I understand she's undertaken to be on our poppy sellers list for next year."

Wikohika seemed remorseful and genuine, he said.

"These things are unfortunate. It's now up to her to turn her life around - we felt she could do it.

"She's the only one that can do it and it's not going to be easy for her."

The offending had had a "tremendous impact" on the elderly victim, Mr Large said.

As part of Wikohika's work with the RSA, she wrote an essay on the meaning of Anzac Day, defence lawyer Anna Brosnahan told the court. She also paid $50 reparation to the RSA.

She pleaded guilty to another theft in May.

Judge David Cameron said she had learned her lesson - "and done that in a demonstrable way".

Wikohika had no previous convictions and the judge sentenced her to come up if called upon within six months.