Bursar guilty of stealing $120,000 from school

A former bursar was led from court yesterday, after admitting stealing almost $120,000 from a school.

Margaret Alma Wyley, 39, pleaded guilty to taking almost $120,000 over almost 10 years while she was employed at Hastings Boys' High School.

According to a police summary of facts, Wyley began working as the school's bursar in June 1993. Her responsibilities included the recording and reporting of the school's financial transactions in numerous areas.

Wyley, of Hastings, resigned in July 2004, after being questioned by school principal Robert Sturch about two invoices. She subsequently paid back the amount owing on the invoices.

The school carried out an investigation, which revealed that reconciliation documents did not match the sums of money actually banked.

In all, Wyley took $119,729.27 between December 12, 1994, and June 14, 2004.

She stole the money in five areas -- international students, general receipts, bogus debits, fees and funds.

On June 23 this year, Wyley was spoken to by police, and admitted taking cash from the school over several years.

Various systems used by Wyley during her thefts were discussed and confirmed by her as the technique she used during her offending.

She accepted responsibility for her actions and was extremely remorseful, the court heard.

Supporters of the school had waited over the road for her to be led from the court, and applauded and cheered as she was brought out, accompanied by her lawyer Eric Forster.

In a statement, the school said "any incident where a trust is betrayed is distressing to all concerned".

The school was keen to point out that no student had been disadvantaged by Wyley's offending.

She will be sentenced on August 19.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY