Woman steals from disabled, terminally ill: Pleads guilty in court
A woman who stole more than $40k worth of jewellery and cash from terminally ill and disabled people has pleaded guilty in court.
Blacktown
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A Blacktown woman who cares for terminally ill and disabled people in Western Sydney has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $40,000 worth of jewellery through her work in the support service industry during her first appearance at Court.
Violeta Hansen, 46, pleaded guilty of going on a stealing-spree between December 2018 and October 2019 at the homes of terminally ill and disabled patients she worked for in Wiley Park, Bexley, Drummoyne and Doonside.
Ms Hansen is employed by numerous support agencies within the disability sector, where she attends homes for domestic and hygiene assistance.
Police charged the Blacktown woman with six counts of steal property in dwelling-house and four counts of make/furnish a statement which is false/misleading.
She pleaded guilty to eight of the ten charges against her, rejecting allegations she stole a total of $1950 from two homes.
Ms Hansen represented herself before Blacktown Local Court Magistrate, K Robinson, pleading guilty Stealing four diamond rings, a gold sapphire ring, a watch, two wedding bands, two gold chains and a diamond pendant.
She also pleaded guilty to giving false statements to pawn brokers on two separate occasions.
The 46-year-old was arrested at a Blacktown pawn shop in Westpoint Shopping Centre at about 2.20pm on October 10, following an extensive investigation by Campsie, Burwood and Blacktown Police Area Command officers.
Ms Hansen also pleaded guilty of attempting to sell stolen jewellery at the time of her arrest, where she also provided false information.
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Magistrate Robinson called for a community corrections report to be undertaken for Ms Hansen, before she rejected the opportunity to apply for bail.
Police facts said Ms Hansen had a “propensity for stealing from the vulnerable in the community, with her conduct showering a clear abuse of power”.
“The accused utilised her employment position to enter the victim’s homes with the intent to deprive them of their most precious and sentiment items,” the facts said.
“The accused had caused an unmeasurable amount of grief and difference to the disabled and terminally ill and undoubtedly added to their decline in health.”
Police facts said Ms Hansen “has a pawning history dating back in excess of ten years and admitted she struggles with her finances”.
Ms Hansen has been employed with six different disability support agencies under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
She admitted to police that she was suspended multiple times after accusations of stealing.
“The accused stated that she is financially unstable and has no money,” police facts said.
“Living week to week on money she earns from employment and through pawning stolen items.
“The accused … did not offer any sign of remorse or apology to her victims.”
A family Ms Hansen stolen from paid for an all inclusive cruise where she was “treated like family”.
Ms Hansen is a dual citizen with a Philippine passport.
Ms Hansen will reappear in Burwood Local Court on November 26.