A Manly West local has been sentenced to community service for allegedly selling a jointly-owned caravan without her former partner’s consent.
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The 55-year-old woman, identified as Leona Mercia McKinnon, pleaded guilty to a single charge of fraud at Maroochydore Magistrates Court last week.
The court heard that the defendant, who works as a veterinary assistant in Manly West, sold the recreational vehicle to a reputable dealer in Woombye for $27,000 in March this year. The Manly West local allegedly forged her ex-partner’s signature on sale documents and provided a copy of his driver’s licence without permission. The funds were deposited into a joint bank account.
According to the police prosecutor, the woman’s actions were “always doomed” to fail due to the lack of sophistication in the scheme. The victim, who was unaware of the sale, submitted an impact statement detailing the financial loss incurred.
The defence lawyer argued that the defendant’s actions occurred in the context of a relationship marked by domestic violence, describing her as being in a “terrible position” at the time. The lawyer requested that no conviction be recorded.
Acting Magistrate Anna Smith acknowledged the context of the offence but noted that the victim had been compensated for the caravan, a fact not disclosed in the impact statement. She gave limited weight to claims of social, psychological, or physical effects on the victim due to lack of supporting evidence.
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The magistrate reportedly ordered the defendant to complete 100 hours of community service. No conviction was recorded, and no restitution orders were made.
This case highlights the complexities that can arise in property disputes following relationship breakdowns and the legal consequences of unauthorised sales of jointly-owned assets.
Published 1-October-2024
