Amanda Dyer pleaded guilty to robbing two companies of a combined $1.3 million
A magistrate said jail was inevitable for a ‘sociopath’ who was allegedly spending big on jewellery and overseas trips with money stolen from her workplaces.
North & North East
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A magistrate had said a jail term is inevitable for a woman who defrauded companies of a combined $1.3m over five years.
Amanda Marie Dyer, 58, was allegedly living the high life, including buying expensive jewellery and overseas trips – all while harbouring a secret for how it all was funded.
In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, Magistrate Brett Dixon granted Dyer home detention bail, despite requests from prosecution to remand her in custody.
Mr Dixon agreed a jail term was inevitable but said Dyer’s circumstances were such that she should be allowed to stay on bail.
Casey Isaacs, for Dyer, had asked for time on bail so she could organise a guardianship order for her husband.
Dyer’s husband was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2020 and given 12 months to live.
The court last week heard Dyer stole $58,976.45 from Dry Creek company, Rick Cobby Transport between April 10 and December 31, 2013.
She stole a further $299,431.70 in 2014, $438,949.82 in 2015, $287,546.87 in 2016, $117,981.70 in 2017, and $63,130.99 between January 1 and July 20, 2018.
Rick Cobby Transport went into liquidation in 2018 and Dyer had started work at the Lady Bay hotel.
Dyer stole $88,275.18 from the Normanville resort between February 16 and December, 31, 2017 and $8,259.79 between January 1 and September 15, 2018.
The Normanville mother pleaded guilty to eight charges of theft, replacing the 235 originally laid by police.
Outside court, insolvency consultant for Anthony Matthews & Associates, Chris Matthews said Rick Cobby Transport went into liquidation in December, 2018.
Through the investigation it identified the misappropriation of company funds, leading back to Dyer.
Mr Matthews said Dyer was allegedly using the siphoned money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including on overseas holidays and jewellery from Tiffany & Co.
Mr Matthews said she allegedly leveraged her role as an accountant and bookkeeper to transfer money into her personal account instead of paying creditors.
“She would put the creditor’s name in the bank account description but the money would be transferred to an account of which she was an authority,” he said.
Mr Matthews said the Lady Bay hotel wasn’t made aware of Dyer’s ongoing deception until they were contacted and warned.
Hotel owner Mike Hill said when he confronted Dyer about the charges she swore on her heart she didn’t do anything.
“She was very sneaky, she made a lot of excuses why we couldn’t get into the books,” he said.
Mr Hill said Dyer was allegedly faking invoices or paying money into her own accounts instead of to suppliers.
“It destroys your faith in human nature … I’ve always had a trusting soul but not anymore,” he said.
“While she was under investigation (for Rick Cobby Transport) she was robbing me.
“It just shows what we’re dealing with – there’s not much of a conscience there.
“She’s pretty much a sociopath if you ask me.”
Dyer will face court again next month.
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