Laura Mellissa Monaghan faces Warwick Magistrates Court for fraud after forging documents to obtain car loan

A Warwick woman who forged her mother’s name on dodgy car loan has been sentenced with the magistrate telling her ‘she had no intention’ to make it right. Read the magistrate’s comments here.

A Warwick woman who used her mother’s identity to forge documents in order to get a car loan has returned to court.

Laura Mellissa Monaghan faced Warwick Magistrates Court earlier this month where it was revealed she had falsified identity documents by claiming to be her own mother in order to secure a vehicle loan.

The 27-year-old pleaded guilty on Wednesday in the same court to one count of fraud following a scam which took place over the course of a year.

The court was told Monaghan forged documents in her mother’s name, including pay slips, in order to get a loan for a new car approved, defence lawyer Bonnie O’Brien said.

The car was seized by police and later sold by the finance company at a considerable loss, leaving a balance of $17,942 owing.

On November 7, the woman was asked to return to court and provide evidence of “significant” mental health issues which may explain her behaviour.

Ms O’Brien told the court the woman had been seeking help with her mental health issues for “some years” and that she had experienced severe mental stress following the death of a family member.

“She acknowledges her actions were inappropriate and wrong, she was unaware the direct debit didn’t process on the loan,” Ms O’Brien said.

“She made the application of the loan in her mother’s name in the hope it would get approved, solely so she could work and continue paying for the household bills.”

“But she hasn’t paid a single cent? Twelve months and she hadn’t done anything?” magistrate Virginia Sturgess replied.

“It certainly seems she never had any intention to pay it back, taking it out in her mother’s name is a good way to avoid consequences.

“You have faced a number of setbacks in your personal life but you still have to face up to the consequences of your conduct.”

Monaghan was sentenced to 18 months probation, with a restitution order made to repay remaining balance of the vehicle, with a conviction recorded.

Originally published as Laura Mellissa Monaghan faces Warwick Magistrates Court for fraud after forging documents to obtain car loan