Plunket worker stole $155,000

Michelle Hyndman was a trusted employee of Plunket. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

A 38-year-old mother has pleaded guilty to cheating Plunket of more than $155,000.

Michelle Margaret Hyndman, who handled finances for the children's charity, appeared in the Tauranga District Court yesterday on 421 fraud charges.

She wrote cheques in her own name, forged another person's signature and deposited the cheques in her own bank account.

Hyndman had been employed as a treasurer for the Tauranga city Plunket branch from January 2003 until she resigned last June and was responsible for money handling, donations and paying debtors.

She began stealing cheques from the office in August 2004.

On the payee section she wrote her name or maiden name, signed her own signature then forged a signature of the other authority required on the account.

She then paid the cheques into her account at the ASB bank in Tauranga.

She also wrote different transactions on the cheque stubs which remained in the office for accounting purposes.

The cheques totalled $155,367.74.

A Plunket audit late last year revealed discrepancies in the accounts and the police were told.

Bay of Plenty Plunket counsellor Sandy Colley described the case as "really out there".

"It's pretty devastating, especially the number of charges there were. We have learned a lot from this. We are looking forward now, not dwelling in the past ... she was in a position of trust and she managed to use that trust to her advantage."

Police spoke to Hyndman in December and she admitted the offences, saying financial pressures from her marriage breakup contributed to her decision to steal.

Her lawyer David Bates told the Herald last night that Hyndman was summoned to appear in court on February 25 when one charge was laid. Police then prepared the rest of the charges which she pleaded guilty to yesterday.

Hyndman was remanded for sentence until next month.