A Christchurch woman with power of attorney over an intellectually disabled woman has today admitted stealing more than $110,000 over six years to fund her pokies gambling habit. The 66-year-old problem gambler, who has interim name suppression, had enduring power of attorney over the woman from 1997 to February last year, Christchurch District Court heard. But between May 2009 and February 18 last year, she made 450 fraudulent transactions from the victim’s bank accounts, the police summary of facts says. The majority of the transactions were made at bars, taverns, and gaming establishments around Christchurch, the West Coast of the South Island, and Auckland. In 2013, the woman broke four-term deposits and deposited a bank cheque into her personal bank account. Judge Jane Farish called for a reparation report ahead of sentencing on September 20.
