Woman Ordered To Repay D.p.b. (Press, 15 September 1983)
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Summary: Woman Ordered To Repay D.p.b. (Press, 15 September 1983)
On 14 September 1983, in the District Court, Judge Unwin sentenced Sharon Faulkner, a 25-year-old woman, to repay an overpayment of $5639 she had received in domestic purposes benefits. Faulkner admitted to charges of receiving benefits while living in a de facto relationship and failing to inform the Department of Social Welfare of her changed circumstances. The judge mandated that she repay $1000 within 12 months, failing which she would face two months in prison. Faulkner’s counsel explained that she had been embarrassed by reports regarding her personal life, including accusations about taking in a boarder after her husband left for Australia. Faulkner stated that her de facto partner's income was insufficient for their needs. In another case, a former Post Office clerk, 21-year-old Wayne Vincent Jones, was given a three-year deferred sentence for stealing $1100 from his employer to cover an overdraft and make a horse bet. He was fined $150 for each of the two charges and had already repaid the stolen amount. Philip John Harding, 24, was convicted of possessing cannabis after police found 107 cannabis plants in his car which he claimed to have discovered during a fishing trip. He was fined $250. No signs of plant care were evident, supporting Harding’s claim of unintentional possession. Whanui Tumanako Puru, a 25-year-old beneficiary, faced five charges of stealing books from various libraries and schools. He was fined $150. Puru admitted committing the offences over a period from December 1980 to June 1983 and explained that he intended to keep the books for personal use. A 39-year-old labourer, Patau Malabai Tulia, was remanded for a defended hearing on 4 October for a charge of indecently assaulting a 30-year-old woman. In a different case, 18-year-old Gordon Thomas Young was involved in a "smash and grab" theft of sheepskin rugs and bags worth nearly $500 from a Hornby shop. He was remanded in custody for a probation report and further sentencing due to previous offences. Other co-defendants were also charged in connection with the incident. Lastly, John Arthur Bradey, a 50-year-old book binder, was convicted for stealing a car valued at $3500 from a sales yard and was remanded on bail for a probation report. He admitted to taking the vehicle while it was unattended. A 28-year-old man, Mark Anthony Albert, was charged with a series of serious offences including escape from prison, burglary, and assault, and was remanded in custody.
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