Mother-of-four-stole from ex-employer

A mother-of-four who broke into Buzz and stole a money pouch-using the money to buy her children school clothes - was today given a conditional discharge. 

Krystal Smith, 31 and co-accused Garret Burrows broke into Buzz on September 7 at 4am and stole the money pouch containing $750.

Later that morning, an employee of the store noticed the float money was missing. They were both partially identified on the store’s CCTV after it was viewed by management.

Addressing the court today, Smith said she wrote a letter of apology to her former boss at Buzz.

“I had a rough road. I have learned my lesson since I did this.

“I have been sick and I think I am being punished. Yes, I know better.

“I just made a messed up mistake. This courtroom and trouble with the law is something I never want to experience again.”

Smith also told the court she used some of the money to buy her children clothes for school from Gibbon’s Company.

Sentencing Smith, Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: ‘There’s no doubt that you were unemployed and looking for a job, but there’s no indication here of any pressed financial needs.”

Mr Warner gave Smith a conditional discharge and probation for two years with conditions set out in the social inquiry report.

Burrows was sentenced at an earlier date to time spent in custody as he was remanded after the first appearance.