Rugby Team Funds Misappropriated: Former Manager Sentenced for Theft
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A community breathed a collective sigh of relief as name suppression was lifted in the case of Marise Martin, a former children’s rugby team manager convicted of theft. The lifting of the suppression order allows victims to speak openly about the betrayal of trust and prevent future offenses. “I don’t want anyone’s hard-earned money to go the same way ours did,” stated one parent, echoing the sentiments of many affected families.
The Initial Fundraising and Discovery of Discrepancies
Martin was responsible for managing funds raised by parents to support a children’s rugby team’s travel expenses for a tournament. However, she diverted funds into her personal bank account, despite parents believing they were contributing to the rugby club’s account. Families reportedly raised around $12,000, but a precise accounting was impractical due to Martin’s lack of financial record-keeping.
During the tournament, a shortage of funds became apparent, forcing parents to cover unexpected expenses for food and lodging.A grandfather, Craig Charleton, shared that he contributed nearly $3,000 during the trip, believing he was supporting the entire team. the initial belief was that the shortfall was due to unforeseen circumstances, but concerns grew when planning for a subsequent trip began.
legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Following a police examination, Martin pleaded guilty to theft. The amount stolen was initially higher but was revised down to $1,780 after she provided some documentation of legitimate spending. The sentencing took place earlier this year at the Hutt Valley District Court.
Judge David Laurenson emphasized the severity of the breach of trust, stating, “There’s no backing away from that. These people paid money expecting it to be used for a specific purpose, and it wasn’t.” A pre-sentence report indicated Martin demonstrated “poor problem-solving skills and a lack of consequential thinking.”
Despite these concerns, the judge acknowledged mitigating factors, including Martin’s willingness to participate in restorative justice and her initial attempt to repay approximately $3,000. He also noted that she had otherwise led a “constructive lifestyle” and was assessed as having a low risk of reoffending. Martin was sentenced to six months of community detention, with the possibility of electronic monitoring.
Impact on Victims and Community
The impact of Martin’s actions extended beyond the financial loss. One parent, Claire Taylor, expressed deep emotional distress, stating, “When you invite people into your life like that and then you find out this, it cuts pretty deep.” Taylor emphasized her primary motivation was to prevent Martin from harming others, adding, “I don’t give a s*** about the money. My motivation here is to stop [her] doing this to anybody else in the future.”
Another individual, identified as Crumlish, revealed she was unaware of Martin’s prior offenses and felt exploited. “She took advantage of all our friendship,” Crumlish said. With the suppression order lifted, Crumlish expressed relief, stating, “It’s been hard because no one could talk about it… [she was] making us out as if we were in the wrong.” She added, “It’s so revolting and disappointing… It’s just mindboggling and I’m just so disappointed that [she] can do that.” Crumlish stated she was willing to be Martin’s final victim if it meant protecting others.
Prior Offense and Denial of connection
this was not Martin’s first encounter with the law. In 2021, under the surname Te Puni, she was convicted of stealing $19,696.25 worth of gift cards from her employer.She received a six-month community detention sentence and was ordered to repay the stolen funds.
When initially questioned about the rugby team incident in 2023, Martin attempted to distance herself from her previous crime, claiming, “That’s my problem and my issue that I had with that workplace.” She asserted she had “done my time” and that the previous situation involved being “backed into a corner.” She maintained she had “moved on.”
The lifting of the suppression order marks a crucial step toward accountability and closure for the victims, and serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of financial betrayal within a community.
