Move to seize thief's assets

JUST moments after final arguments were heard in mitigation and aggravation of sentence yesterday, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) brought an application for the confiscation of about R600000 from convicted thief Louise Bowker.

The application extends to the assets of Bowker's husband and late mother-in-law, who the state allege also benefited from the theft.

Bowker pleaded guilty last year to stealing more than R1.4-million from the Grahamstown Veterinary Clinic, where she worked as the practice manager. Bowker, in her 30s, gradually siphoned cash from Dr Phillip Gilfillan's personal bank account and that of his small clinic, between May 2008 and November 2010. - Kathryn Kimberley