A Renwick woman who stole from her employer and used a computer to cover up her offending is afraid that she will never work in retail again, the Blenheim District Court heard on Friday.
Jodi Lee Holland, 18, pleaded guilty to a charge of accessing a computer accounting system for pecuniary gain.
Judge Tony Zohrab said that over a four-month period, Holland stole a total of $923 worth of items from the pharmacy where she worked, and used its computer to alter records in an attempt to hide the thefts.
Defence lawyer Tane Brunt said Holland had since been fired. She had approached other retailers, seeking a new job.
Mr Brunt said Blenheim was a small place where "people talk", which meant retail was "pretty much closed to her".
Mr Brunt said Holland had aspirations of working in the beauty therapy industry or the floristry industry, and had dreams of working on a cruise ship.
Mr Brunt said a single conviction would bar Holland from working on a cruise ship.
Judge Zohrab conceded that a conviction "won't make you a prime candidate for the position", but said the thefts were a "process of deception in terms of altering records".
"This was not a momentary thing".
The charge was amended to a charge of theft of under $300.
Judge Zohrab said the 2004 Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act would allow minor convictions such as this to be removed after seven years with no further offending.
Holland was convicted and ordered to pay $1000 in reparation to her former employer.
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