Former nurse Marie Heeraman who used ex’s cash for wedding to new lover spared jail
A former nurse stole more than $140,000 from her ex-partner and used the cash on a new car and a wedding to another man, a court has been told.
A former nurse was “stringing along” her ex-boyfriend when she stole more than $140,000 from him and spent the cash on a wedding to another man.
Marie Heeraman was ordered to serve a two-year community corrections order in the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a course of conduct theft charge.
The 52-year-old, who also uses her middle name of Kathleen, transferred $142,304 of her former partner’s money into her own accounts in more than 800 transactions between October 2014 and August 2016.
“You maintained a caring and loving facade perpetuating and disguising your dishonesty,” Judge Sarah Dawes said.
“Through your continuous messaging you were stringing him along. You drip fed money to the victim to avoid detection.”
The judge told Heeraman she avoided a prison sentence by the “narrowest of margins”.
The money the former aged care nurse stole was part of her victim’s inheritance, but he transferred $200,000 into accounts Heeraman controlled in October 2014 so she could manage the funds for him.
She said she would look after his cash, pay for his expenses and give him spending money on request.
But instead Heeraman opened two secret bank accounts in 2014 around the same time she ended her relationship with the victim and moved in with another man.
She went on to marry her new beau and spent more than $10,000 of her ex’s cash on “bridal wear”, clothing, shoes, glasses and accessories. Another $5000 went on homewares and she withdrew more than $46,000 in cash.
Heeraman continued to exchange “caring” messages with her ex after they split up while disguising her thefts.
In a message she sent in June 2016 the nurse said she was helping her victim spend his money, but by that point she had already spent more than $105,000 of his cash.
“I am truly helping you to spend yr $ wisely & to save & one day you”ll thank me for this,” Heeraman’s message read.
“So pls understand my logic ok. It’s for yr best interest, as I don”t want you to run out of money ok.”
The nurse also spent $27,000 of the victim’s cash on a Peugeot car after her relationship with him ended.
She has since repaid all the money back to her victim with help from her family and husband, the court was told.
The judge took into account the betrayal her victim suffered and that she pleaded guilty and “belatedly” showed remorse.
Heeraman has no criminal history and could be considered a good prospect for rehabilitation.
She was convicted and must perform 350 hours of community work as part of the order.