Woman Receives Suspended Sentence
Convicted on fifteen counts of dishonesty involving the theft of over $21,000 from her own mother, 57-year-old Helene Sutcliffe was this morning [Mar.5] given a two year prison sentence and three years probation. The prison sentence was suspended for three years and the term of probation was to commence immediately.
Following the preparation of a Social Inquiry Report and of psychiatric and psychological reports, Senior Magistrate Archie Warner heard from the Prosecutor that Ms Sutcliffe had a history of mental illness; had first become a patient of MAWI thirty years ago; and was diagnosed as bipolar.
The Prosecutor said that by her own admission, Ms Sutcliffe been committing acts of dishonesty against other family members although she had never been prosecuted for any offence; and had no previous convictions. The Prosecutor asked that Ms Sutcliffe be ordered to make restitution.
Lawyer Leopold Mills, acting for Ms Sutcliffe, referred to her psychological problems and asked that a non-custodial sentence be considered. He also argued that, given her age and working capability, an order for restitution was unreasonable because it was unlikely that she could find work and repay.
In arriving at his sentence decision, Senior Magistrate Archie Warner said that given the extended period of time over which the offences had occurred and their seriousness, an immediate custodial sentence was the correct sentence.
On first enunciating the two-year sentence, Ms Sutcliffe, who was standing at the time, uttered a sharp cry and stumbled towards a seat. She was helped back to her feet by a policeman on Court duty and she remained standing as the Magistrate continued with the sentencing.
She was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for three years. She was also sentenced to three years probation with the conditions that she must attend at MAWI, seek gainful employment, participate in rehabilitation programs as determined by probation officers, and refrain from contact with all persons who have a negative character.
Ms Sutcliffe’s reply to the Magistrate was: “Thank you, your Honour. I appreciate it.”
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So happy to see the courts extended mercy to this lady. I pray she recovers and can function in a more productive way. For those who do not know her. Unless you are in her shoes, mind your words.
Reading this I don’t think the Senior Magistrate has a clue about bipolar.
With unemployment being the way it is, I think she is doomed and set to fail. With so many hard working, honest people out there looking for work what chance does she have at finding employment as a bipolar criminal, convicted of stealing, and also in rehab. Not saying its right, wrong fair or unfair,I’m just saying with so much to choose from, would the average business person even want this type of liability. I hope she gets some help and finds that person willing to employ her.