A mother of three has been given 12 months to repay over K66, 000 to the Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society or face three years in prison with hard labor.
This was the sentence of the National Court yesterday afternoon against 26 year old Pari woman, Margaret Ani.
Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika in sentencing Ani said the court will be monitoring her repayment within the next 12 months.
Ani is expected back in court on Sept 1 where she will give an update on the repayment of K66,164.64.
"I will give you 12 months outside to make the repayment. Your repayment will be monitored by the court. This is to ensure your offer of restitution is genuine," Sir Gibbs told Ani.
Ani was convicted for forging 24 pay cheques totalling K66,968.90 belonging to the Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society.
The court found she forged the signatures of Dadi Toka Jnr 24 times and uttered the documents she forged 24 times.
She did so while she was a volunteer with the society as the treasurer in 2012.
"To volunteer to do a job is a honorable thing, but to steal while on the job is a dishonorable thing. You have brought shame on yourself. You were in a position of trust but you abused the trust by stealing from the Cancer Fund," Sir Gibbs said.
The court also heard Ani stole the money as she was under pressure from her partner who had debts to settle.