The manager of accommodation businesses at Lismore and Ballina has appeared in court after allegedly creating fake receipts to avoid paying an advertising bill of almost $6,000.
Belinda Catherine Nott appeared in Lismore Local Court on Monday and was represented by her solicitor Vince Boss.
The 38 year-old manager of Ballina Manor Motel and Wilsons College student accommodation at Lismore faced a charge of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
The charge relates to Ms Nott allegedly making false receipts to avoid paying Side Winder Advertising $5,720.
Police facts before the court stated both businesses managed by Ms Nott had been clients of Side Winder Advertising for 20 years, and she had dealt with owner Brett Watson several times during her three years as manager.
‘From early 2015 to mid 2016 no payment was received by Side Winder Advertising, despite bills being sent quarterly and multiple reminders by both mail and email,’ police facts stated.
On June 9, 2016, Ms Nott said she would deposit the money into Mr Watson’s Commonwealth Bank account but her received nothing.
When Mr Watson spoke to Ms Nott on June 13, she said she deposited two amounts of $2,860 at Commonwealth Bank Lismore on June 9 and said she would produce receipts.
After Mr Watson requested the receipts, Ms Nott emailed him copies on June 17.
As the receipts appeared to be genuine, Mr Watson complained to the bank and records indicated there were no deposits at Lismore to his account on June 9.
Police were informed and on October 18, when Ms Nott was interviewed, she said she sent a former female employee to deposit the $5,720 at Commonwealth Bank, Lismore on June 9.
‘She claimed when Mr Watson didn’t receive any money she lodged a complaint with the financial services ombudsman,’ police facts stated.
Police contacted the former employee, who had since returned to her home country of Canada. She said she had never been to Wilsons College and never did any banking for Ms Nott.
It is alleged Nott created false receipts by altering previous receipts.
On Monday the court heard the brief of evidence against Ms Nott had been received that morning.
Magistrate Peter Bugden adjourned Ms Nott’s matters until June 19, for Mr Boss to consider the contents of the brief.
