article_snippet: Karma Elms faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to the offence that happened over 15 months before becoming defensive about the course of events.
article_snippet: Karma Elms has been sentenced to 2 years jail after stealing nearly $40,000 in overtime .
article_snippet: the offence that happened over 15 months saw 36-year-old, Karma Elms scam the Health department out of $39,352 over 15 months.
article_snippet: According to Magistrate Wendy Cull, Karma Elms showed a 'degree of defensiveness' despite pleading guilty and made note of the fact that she had travel a long way to get to work.
article_snippet: Karma Elms was hired by Queensland health in 2010 to help with the large workload after the Health department's flawed payroll system was introduced that left 1800 employees with little or no pay.
article_snippet: Magistrate Wendy Cull told The court that Karma Elms had a disadvantaged childhood with an abusive stepfather who Karma Elms escaped at the end of high school and now supports Karma Elms mother.
article_snippet: Despite Karma Elms background and a glowing reference from Karma Elms new employer, Magistrate Wendy Cull said Karma Elms had swindled money that Karma Elms had no right to.
article_snippet: Karma Elms lawyer, Mark Williams said Karma Elms is apologetic about Karma Elms actions and has rejected the idea that Karma Elms wished to refute the charges.
article_snippet: The Crime and Corruption Commission hope to use Karma Elms as an example to other public servants. '
highlights_snippet: Karma Elms pleaded guilty to the offence that happened over 15 months .
  
highlights_snippet: Magistrate Wendy Culls said Karma Elms had a very disadvantaged childhood .