Budget service thief warned on naming

The woman was initially granted name suppression for health reasons until sentencing on the first set of charges. Photo / File

A Masterton budgeting worker who stole at least $11,100 from vulnerable clients has been warned to prepare for her name suppression to be lifted.

The woman is facing 16 charges, including two of using a document for financial advantage, to which she pleaded not guilty in the Masterton District Court on Thursday.

The woman has already pleaded guilty to eight charges and not guilty to six charges of theft by a person in a special relationship.

The theft charges relate to the accounts of clients who were putting money into a nominated account for paying their bills, but instead of making the payments she allegedly withdrew the money for herself.

The woman was initially granted name suppression for health reasons until sentencing on the first set of charges.

On Thursday Judge Barbara Morris extended the woman's interim name suppression until the trial date on August 11, but warned her to prepare for her name to be published.

"Unless there is extremely strong medical evidence put forward ... then lifting name suppression will be inevitable."

Judge Morris said she shared the fears of others working for community budgeting services who were "very concerned that suspicion is being passed around". It was also possible more complainants might come forward if the woman's name was revealed, but it made "no sense to compartmentalise these [charges] and sentence by instalment".

The woman was remanded on bail until her next case review hearing on July 9.