Andrea Morris sentenced for $950 fraud spree in Armidale

Andrea Morris, 32, stole a man's wallet in Armidale on 5 July and used the victim’s bank card to make 22 fraudulent purchases over two days. The transactions, ranging from $11 to $95, included cigarettes, alcohol, food and other items, totalling more than $950. Morris appeared by video link in Armidale Local Court on 3 August, pleaded guilty to 23 charges – one count of stealing and 22 counts of fraud – and had bail refused. Judge Clare Farnan ordered a pre‑sentence report and adjourned sentencing, noting the possibility of an alternative to full‑time imprisonment.

The case highlights targeted theft of vulnerable individuals and the use of stolen payment details for rapid, low‑value purchases across multiple retailers.