The kindness of strangers was lacking when an 89-year-old Greytown woman lost her wallet in a supermarket carpark.
The woman lost much-needed cash when Nehi Nancy Hemi picked up the purse with $35 inside it and failed to hand it in to police or the supermarket.
Hemi, 40, pleaded guilty to one charge of theft when she appeared before Judge Tony Walsh in the Masterton District Court on Thursday.
Police prosecutor Garry Wilson said a woman was shopping at the Fresh Choice supermarket in Greytown on August 13 for the elderly woman. After spending $15 on groceries with a $50 note, she put the change back into the purse, which she inadvertently dropped on her way back to the car, and drove off without it.
Mr Wilson said Hemi noticed the purse on the ground as she returned to her car, initially walking away and leaving it. However, she returned and picked it up, driving away with the purse and cash.