Gambling Addict fleeces elderly blind relative

Pokies addict sent to jail
DAVID KILLICK

A WOMAN who plundered the bank accounts of an elderly blind relative to feed her gambling addiction has been jailed.

Sorell supermarket worker Lynette Elizabeth Robinson, 43, was yesterday sentenced in the Supreme Court in Hobart.

Robinson had pleaded guilty to 79 counts of computer-related fraud.

She had promised her dying mother she would care for 73-year-old Shirley Ryan.

But instead she withdrew more than $13,000 and fed the money through poker machines at venues including Wrest Point Casino.

After a domestic disagreement, Robinson's partner said to Mrs Ryan: "She's been fleecing you and I don't want to be part of it any more."

The elderly woman checked her account and found a balance of $1, as well as a credit card she was unaware of with a debit balance of $1300.

Robinson, who is now bankrupt, paid back $9600 of the missing money and has cured herself of her gambling addiction.

Yesterday, Justice David Porter said she deserved to go to jail for her crimes.

"Ms Robinson's offending at least amounted to a very arrogant use of the money of another, to say nothing of course of the breach of trust involved," he said.

"Breaches of trust involving the theft or removal of any significant amount of money almost invariably lead to imprisonment.

"Mrs Ryan was legally blind and dependent on the accused to manage her finances.

"Although the relationship may have been difficult, nothing at all can justify the unauthorised and wanton dissipation of Mrs Ryan's funds.

"A gambling addiction provides no excuse."

He sentenced Robinson to eight months' jail, four of which will be suspended on the condition she is of good behaviour for two years.

The mother of three will also have to contribute 35 hours of community service, repay her victim $4000 and pay a victims of crime levy of $3950.

It is her third jail term.