In R v Portese [2024] QCA 117, Joanne Irene Portese, the appellant, sought to appeal her conviction and sentence for two counts of fraud. Portese was convicted by a jury of fraud involving financial detriment to a vulnerable complainant who suffered from a degenerative condition. The appellant admitted to making multiple unauthorised withdrawals from the complainant's bank accounts and transferring $20,000 to her employer under fraudulent pretences. The Court of Appeal, comprising Mullins P, Morrison JA, and Bond JA, dismissed the appeal against conviction and refused the application for leave to appeal against the sentence of five years for count 1 and two years for count 2. The Court noted the gross breach of trust and the appellant's lack of remorse, deeming the sentence appropriate given the severity of the offences.
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