August 5, 2020

A 55-year-old former BlueCare support worker pleaded guilty in Murgon Magistrates Court on Tuesday to five charges of stealing.

Noreen Wessling, from Wondai, admitted stealing five small sums of money from an elderly client whom she had been visiting up to three times a week as part of her employment.

The money was taken from the 78-year-old woman’s purse.

The court was told she no longer works for BlueCare.

The thefts occurred on five dates in March and April this year.

The total amount stolen was just over $73.00.

Solicitor Mark Werner, for Wessling, said $55.00 had already been paid back.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair noted that Wessling had lost her job which was “significant punishment”.

He fined her $750 and ordered her to pay $18.55 compensation.

No convictions were recorded.