Peta Kristy Simkin fraud case: Family of elderly, dementia-afflicted victim slams court penalty

The family of a Mid West fraudster’s elderly victim have slammed the court penalty that saw the convicted thief walk free with a suspended sentence and no fines, saying it “does not fit the crime”. Former National Australia Bank Northampton branch clerk and West Binnu farmer Peta Kristy Simkin, 45, used her professional credentials to steal more than $41,000 from two customers’ accounts to pay personal debts between October 2019 and April 2020. She was sentenced last Thursday to a nine-month suspended jail term after pleading guilty to 10 counts of stealing. Restitution was not sought by the court as Simkin had already repaid the stolen funds. One of her victims was 89-year-old Cyril Munday, who has dementia, while the other was a woman who has since turned 77. Debbie Munday claimed Simkin lied to her when she inquired about her father withdrawing amounts between $1000 and $4000. She said her father was confused as to where the money was going. Ms Munday said the situation had continued to cause her family distress, with her father now unable to trust people with anything to do with money. “We questioned my dad on regular occasions as to what he was doing with the money. I attended the bank in November 2019, asking them to watch how much my father was withdrawing. Little did I know I was speaking with the culprit who told me that yes, my dad was withdrawing the money in question,” she said. “Money continued to go missing. “We attended the police to report our concerns. Finally, one day when my father was in the care of my sister, another $4000 was withdrawn and we had our proof. “He was never offered the right to submit an impact statement to the judge but I can tell you he went through a great deal of stress, which I feel has led to a more rapid progression of his dementia. “His stress still continues to a point that he trusts no one and is constantly worried about what could happen next. How can someone be so callous?” During sentencing, Magistrate Chris Miocevich said Simkin showed genuine remorse, “co-operated fully with investigators,” and was at a low risk of reoffending. But he said he needed to send a message to deter others that the courts “will not go easy” on this type of offending. “I doubt that (she is sorry). She has never faced my father to offer an apology. She knows where he lives as she had access to this type of information from the bank,” Ms Munday said. “Mrs Simkin was seen by my family in a local electrical appliance store after the verdict, shopping freely. I know she saw us but turned away, missing an opportunity to apologise, so no, she does not show remorse. The sentence does not fit the crime. “A nine-month suspended sentence is an easy price to pay. In fact, I feel like no justice has been bestowed on someone who steals from the elderly. “We all have money issues from time to time but we do not pick on the vulnerable members in our community and steal from them without consequence.” Simkin declined to comment when contacted by The Guardian.