Katherine Jennifer May Smith pleads guilty to stealing, fraud

A newly qualified nurse who preyed on a trusting, elderly patient at her work by using her credit card to purchase thousands of dollars worth of online shopping, has faced court.

A newly qualified nurse who preyed on a trusting, elderly patient at her work by using her credit card to purchase thousands of dollars worth of online shopping, has pleaded guilty at court. Picture: FILE

A newly qualified enrolled nurse, who preyed on a trusting patient who needed help using a computer, has faced court after spending thousands of dollars on the “wrong credit card”.

Katherine Jennifer May Smith, 55, faced the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on March 6, 2024 and pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing, one charge of unlawful possession of stolen property, one charge of fraud, two charges of obtaining another entity’s identification information for purposes of committing an indictable offence.

Smith was working as an enrolled nurse for two months at an aged care home, after newly qualifying, the court was told.

Police prosecutor Kalinda Cheung said Smith assisted a 79-year-old patient with online banking.

“She assisted the victim in making online purchases on her own laptop,” Sergeant Cheung said.

The court was told Smith was fined, with no convictions recorded, after pleading guilty to fraud charges in 2021.

“She obviously hasn’t learned her lesson as she continues to take from members of the public,” Sergeant Cheung said.

Smith kept her patient’s card details on her laptop and went on to purchase online goods and pay her bills using those details, the court heard.

Sergeant Cheung said Smith has since lost her job at the aged care home.

Smith’s lawyer said she was remorseful and did not realise her patient’s card was being used.

The court heard Smith spent more than $5000 on her patient’s card.

Sergeant Cheung said Smith also stole $304 of property from candle and soap company Byrnes Decor and Soy.

Her lawyer said Smith had lost her friends as well as her employment and is now working as a barista, unable to work as a nurse.

“She has suffered consequences,” a lawyer said.

Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll said it is obvious Smith has not learned from her last fraudulent mistake.

“My concern is that you were in a position of trust,” Mr O’Driscoll said.

“She trusted you to help her in relation to online banking and you took the matter further.

“I accept your early pleas of guilty … employers will be interested to know if you are an honest person in the future,” he said. Smith was sentenced to complete 100 hours of community service and to pay $6075.84 of restitution to her victims. No convictions were recorded.