In court: Goulburn woman jailed for spending stolen money

Ricquelle Martson-McKnight, 24, of Goulburn, appeared before Goulburn Local Court on July 14. She faced a charge of deal with proceeds of crime.

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Solicitor Rod Boyd said his client was previously sentenced to 15 months full-time imprisonment for diverting funds.

He argued McKnight was "in lots of ways the victim in this whole incident".

"She was desperate for money and responded to a job ad," Mr Boyd said.

He told the court a "substantial amount" was transferred into her bank account. He argued McKnight had spent $22,549.35, "the majority on overdue gas and electricity bills".

He said McKnight had a "horrendous childhood" and spent the majority of her younger years in foster care.

"The offence that she is now being sentenced for is significantly less serious than the original offence [of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception]."

He urged the magistrate to consider an Intensive Corrections Order rather than full-time imprisonment.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Simon Enderwick argued "significant action was taken by [McKnight] after receipt of the money, in terms of moving it around accounts".

In sentencing, Magistrate Geraldine Beattie took into account McKnight's early guilty plea.

She said McKnight had "dealt with some $62,000".

"The matter only came to the attention of police after investigations in Victoria," she said.

"There is a strong need for general deterrence. People rely on electronic banking and an offence like this goes to the heart of that."

McKnight was sentenced to nine months imprisonment with a non-parole period of four months.

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