The mother of a seven-year-old girl will spend an effective 15 years behind bars.
On 6 February, Magistrate Benita Oswell at the Johannesburg Specialised Crimes Court sentenced the 36-year-old woman to 15 years’ direct imprisonment. The woman faced 42 counts of fraud, amounting to just over R6 million.
At the time of her arrest, the accused was working in the finance department of a dealership that sold vehicles. During sentencing, Oswell told the convicted fraudster that it was inconsiderate of her to defraud her employers of so much money for her own selfish gain.
In mitigation of sentence, the accused told the court that she had a seven-year-old daughter who needed her care.
She told the court that the daughter was epileptic and she (the fraudster) was the only person who could take care of the child.
Oswell told her that the father of the child told the court that he can take care of the child. Oswell said not sending the convicted fraudster to jail would send the wrong message to society.
ALSO READ: Alleged Metro cops killer tells court he was assaulted by Metro police officers
