Vicki Maree Murfet was sentenced for fraud after she dishonestly spent $57,500 on living expenses

The court heard the woman had significantly breached the trust of her position of power of attorney after she spent more than $57k of her friend’s deceased estate.

Vicki Maree Murfet, 65, was sentenced in Maroochydore District Court for fraud on June 21.

A Mountain Creek woman who held the power of attorney of a 71-year-old woman's estate has been jailed for spending more than $57,000 she wasn't entitled to spend.

Vicki Maree Murfet, 65, was sentenced in Maroochydore District Court for fraud after she dishonestly obtained $57,500 during 40 transactions between September 2019 and April 2020.

The court heard the woman had about $96,000 in her savings account when she died.

Crown Prosecutor Will Slack said Murfet had "abused her position of power of attorney" after the death of her friend in September 2019.

He said Murfet had accessed the woman's bank accounts after she'd died to pay for everyday purchases and other items.

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"She cashed cheques and transferred large sums of money to her own bank account and also used the deceased's bank cards for everyday (purchases) and would transfer funds (from the) deceased person online saver account," Mr Slack said.

"When the solicitor dealing with the deceased estate discovered the transactions, (they) brought it to the attention of the police."

The court heard Murfet had been entitled to about $10,000 in the woman's will, however the probate period had not been finalised before she started using the money.

Mr Slack said it was "a significant breach of trust" despite Murfet "grieving, distressed and depressed throughout the offending period".

Murfet's defence barrister, Nathan Turner, said his client had become "financially desperate" after the death of the woman, and had been told to move out of her home because she'd lost her employment.

"She spent $6000 on moving house, bought a second hand car for $6000, had minor debts to pay off otherwise the rest went on living expenses," Mr Turner said.

"She loved the deceased."

The court heard Murfet was unable to repay the money she had taken from the woman's estate.

Judge Tony Moynihan sentenced Murfet to two years and six months in jail on Monday, June 21.

She will be eligible for parole on November 6, 2021.

Originally published as Vicki Maree Murfet was sentenced for fraud after she dishonestly spent $57,500 on living expenses