Mum forgives son for fraud attempt

Mum forgives son for fraud attempt

A FAMILY'S trust was bent, but not broken after a gambling addiction led a young man to steal over $10,000 from his own mother, Hervey Bay Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Kyne Tuterangiora Jade Puhia, 18, pleaded guilty to seven charges of forgery, fraud and attempted fraud after he tried to use his mother's family trust fund cheque book to feed his gambling habit.

Puhia's mother, however, had forgiven her son, said solicitor Justin Geldard.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Jeanette Grigoris said Puhia stole 13 cheques in February.

He then forged various amounts on them and cashed or attempted to cash the cheques at ANZ branches in Torquay and Pialba.

Snr Const Grigoris listed a number of amounts said to appear on the stolen cheques, which totalled $10,861.

Puhia had no similar offences on his history, Snr Const Grigoris said.

Mr Geldard submitted a letter of support from his client's mother to the court, and said Puhia was still living in the family home.

Puhia developed his gambling addiction last year after his depression spiralled out of control following the death of his best friend in a traffic accident, the court heard.

Mr Geldard said Puhia was already attempting to pay back the money.

Magistrate Graeme Tatnell told Puhia the consequences of addiction should now be clear to him.

“If you thought about this for one minute, you would have realised you would never get away with it,” Mr Tatnell said.

Due to this being the first time Puhia was charged with an offence of dishonesty, Mr Tatnell said he did not consider a prison sentence.

Instead, he ordered Puhia serve an 18-month probation sentence.