The former office manager's misuse of company credit cards to buy herself more than $81,196 worth of goods over five years came to light after the collapse of Ashmore Contracting Ltd, the Alexandra District Court heard yesterday.
Amanda Jane Whipp (41), chef, of Oamaru, pleaded guilty before Judge Eddie Paul to six charges of using three Ashmore Contracting credit cards to obtain property dishonestly. The charges covered dates in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. She was convicted and remanded to April 4 for sentencing. Prosecutor Sergeant Ian Collin said the Cromwell earthmoving and civil construction company was placed into liquidation in October 2011.
Whipp had been employed as office manager from 2006 to 2011, was responsible for invoicing and accounts and used company credit cards and chequebooks. Between December 2006 and July 2011, she had used the three company credit cards 793 times to buy goods and services for herself, spending a total of $81,196.07, Sgt Collin said.
''Following the collapse of the company, the managing director became aware of the misuse of the credit card and investigated the matter before going to the police.''
Whipp used the cards in Central Otago and Oamaru to buy groceries, alcohol, entertainment, clothing, fast food, household items and fuel, he said. Judge Paul said he was prepared to continue the defendant's bail because the ultimate sentence might not be prison.
