Woman admits stealing tsunami appeal money

UPDATE - A woman has admitted stealing money intended for Asian tsunami relief.

The unemployed 34-year-old has appeared in the North Shore District Court this morning.

She was arrested after security footage showed her taking a jar of money from the counter of a Mad Butcher shop in Orewa.


She has been granted interim name suppression after admitting taking $250.


Granting name suppression, the judge pointed out her lawyers had indicated the woman had serious psychological issues that needed to be addressed.


The woman is to reside in the care of the Kaitaia Women's refuge and she will be sentenced in the Kaitaia District Court on February 24.


In a separate case, a security guard at Tauranga Hospital has been fired from his job and ordered to do community work after stealing money donated to tsunami victims.

Leonard Rewiti Soper, a 36-year-old Greerton man, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft when he appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday.

He had been working for Challenge Security, the firm contracted to patrol Tauranga Hospital's campus, when he stole $48 cash and some loose change early on the morning of January 7.

He has since been fired.

Yesterday, he stood quietly while community magistrates Kevin Hurley and Heather White decided his punishment.

He declined the opportunity to explain his actions in court.

He was sentenced to 40 hours' community work for the theft.

Since Boxing Day, the hospital has raised about $2000 for tsunami victims. Buckets were placed around the main reception counter for people who wished to contribute and the $48 stolen was believed to have come from hospital staff.

Hospital spokeswoman Sherida Couldwell said the theft was a first for the facility.

The money has since been donated to the Red Cross.

- NEWSTALK ZB, BAY OF PLENTY TIMES