Mother who stole kid's trip money escapes jail

A woman who stole thousands of dollars from her daughters' cheerleading squad to fund a gambling habit has escaped a prison sentence.

Carlynn Saunders-Clarke appeared in Waitakere District Court yesterday for sentencing after she admitted three charges of causing loss by deception after taking an amount estimated at $8900 from cash being raised by the Whangarei squad for a trip to Queensland.

Saunders-Clarke, 30, who now lives in Auckland, was sentenced to four months' community detention, one year's supervision and ordered to pay reparations to the cheerleading squad, starting with $500 by February 6.

Judge Russell Johnson told her: "They [the parents] held cake stalls, sausage sizzles, garage sales and dance evenings so that their children could go to Australia. You took sole control of the funds and the members of the committee trusted you.

"Suspicions were raised when you started not telling the truth and avoided telling them what you had done.

"Shame is not enough. There is a lot of anger about all of this."

Saunders-Clarke had no previous convictions, so she would not be sent to prison, the judge said.

Lawyer Victoria Letele told the court her client used the money on poker machines and was highly remorseful. She had four children, and was at a low risk of reoffending, Ms Letele said.

Her grandfather, mother and cousin were in court to support her yesterday.

Police told the court this type of offending was viewed very seriously, as 106 victims aged 5 to 15 were affected.

Saunders-Clarke's sentence included conditions including a curfew from 7pm until 6am daily, an order to reside at an address in Glen Eden, not to consume alcohol, attend an assessment programme for gambling abuse, and receive treatment and counselling as directed by a probation officer.

The Fantasy Cheerleading Team did end up making the trip to the Gold Coast after parents chipped in with more money.

- NZPA