Woman denies selling car to multiple buyers
A woman accused of formulating a deceptive scheme to sell a private car to more than one car buyer was today remanded in custody.Wendy Katherine Francis, of Devonshire, entered not guilty pleas to five counts of deception and stealing.The incidents allegedly occurred between October last year and this month.Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said a total of $12,500 was paid as a cash down payment by five separate individuals.The defendant denied that she used the name Nicole Simons as the person authorised to sell the car.Ms Francis, who elected a trial in Magistrates’ Court, was remanded in custody following objections to bail by Crown counsel Cindy Clarke. The 40-year-old was unrepresented during today’s proceedings.Mr Warner noted that her case will be dealt with on October 29 when the defendant will face an unrelated set of charges including “puppy snatching”.Ms Francis was charged in January with 28 dishonesty charges involving the theft of credit cards from homes where she worked as a caregiver.The court heard at that time that she had 22 previous convictions for dishonesty. The dog, a Shih Tzu puppy, was stolen from his owners last Christmas Eve.