New charges for Masterton budgeter

A woman budget advisor, 51, of Masterton, now faces a raft of 16 charges including theft in a special relationship and taking or using a document for financial advantage.

Fresh charges have been laid against a Masterton budget adviser who is accused of taking money from her clients.

The 51-year-old, who was excused from appearing in Masterton District Court on Tuesday, now faces 16 charges, which include 14 of theft by a person in a special relationship involving $14,300 and two new charges of taking or using a document for financial advantage.

The woman, whose name is suppressed, allegedly used a $3000 cheque from the account of a male client and used a cash withdrawal slip for $1039 from the account of a female client.

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.

She had previously pleaded guilty to eight charges.

The issue of name suppression was also raised in court. The woman was previously granted interim name suppression on medical grounds until sentencing.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tim Crum said many of the people in the public gallery, who had worked with the woman, wanted suppression lifted because they fitted the description in media reports and were being accused.

Judge Barbara Morris said the name suppression would need to be argued again at the next court appearance.

She remanded the woman until May 28 for a case review hearing on the older charges and to plea to the new charges.