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A South African woman denies any wrongdoing even after pleading guilty to a charge of stealing about $20,000 in donations intended for an operation on her daughter's leg. Her foot was bitten off by a dog three years ago.
Lyndell du Toit said she had pleaded guilty against the advice of her lawyer, Anne-Marie McRae, to the charge of theft by a person in a special relationship. The police say none of the money was used for treatment for her 8-year-old daughter Charley.
Outside the court, du Toit maintained: "I haven't misused the money. I have invested it for Charley's future."
Christchurch District Court Judge Stephen Erber convicted and remanded her on bail for sentence on November 15. He ordered that a probation report and a report on paying reparations be prepared.
The du Toit family sought $50,000 for a difficult, long-term bone-stretching operation on Charley's left leg where the foot had been reattached after the mauling in South Africa. An infection set in after the operation, and she now needs specialist treatment to enable her to walk normally. At present she walks on the tips of her left toes.
The family emigrated to New Zealand where a surgeon, one of the few in the world who can do the operation, agreed to carry out the procedure.
The family's plight received wide publicity in the media as they sought donations for the big medical bills. Fundraising events such as a charity auction and ball were held.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Dave Murray said that from February to August $21,735 was paid into the Charley du Toit Appeal account for which Lyndell du Toit was the sole signatory.
From April to August, $20,803 was withdrawn from the account and $18,748 was paid into Lyndell du Toit's account. None of the money had been paid for consultations for surgery. Du Toit said it had been spent on "other things".
Outside the court, du Toit said the money was in British property investments - "for Charley's benefit".
Her child was always her first priority, she said, denying any wrongdoing. It was now planned for the surgery to be carried out in South Africa.
Charley had her entire foot bitten off in 2004 by her grandmother's bull terrier in Johannesburg. She has had 19 operations since then.
- NZPA
