Danique Janey De Kat pleads guilty to stealing more than $187,000 from Regional Retailers Co-op in Katanning

A 28-year-old Great Southern woman stole more than $187,000 from the Katanning Co-op in what has been described as a “devastating betrayal” of the community. In a brief appearance in Albany Magistrates Court last Thursday, Danique Janey De Kat entered a plea of guilty to one of two charges of stealing as a servant. Ms De Kat pleaded guilty to stealing $187,384.46 from Regional Retailers in Katanning in a four-month period between June 18 and October 24 last year while she was employed at the business. Regional Retailers at the Co-op is Katanning’s biggest retailer, home to IGA Katanning, Toy Box, Home & Fashion, Makit Hardware and Garden Centre, and Celebrations. The Broomehill, Katanning and Woodanilling co-operative on Austral Terrace first opened in 1921 under the name BKW Co-operative. In 2018, the Co-op was forced into administration after recording $800,000 in losses over two years. The community rallied to save the shopping complex when it temporarily shut its doors in September 2018, with Regional Retailers chairman Adrian Richardson stepping in to buy the co-op with the support of other local investors. Speaking after Ms De Kat pleaded guilty, Mr Richardson expressed his gratitude to police. “We feel it is a devastating betrayal of the business, its staff and the community,” he said. “The thefts plus the supply chain issues caused by COVID-19 has put enormous pressure on the business. “The police and the Albany detectives have done a good job in prosecuting our case and keeping us informed.” Ms De Kat is due to appear in the Albany District Court on August 3 on the charge she pleaded guilty to. She faces a second charge of stealing as a servant but she did not have to enter a plea during her court appearance last Thursday. Police submitted an amendment to the wording of the charge which concerns money allegedly stolen from White Gum Cafe in Katanning. Police will allege that between June 15, 2020 and October 15, 2021, Ms De Kat stole $63,880 from White Gum Cafe in Katanning. White Gum Cafe is located within the Co-op complex on Austral Terrace but operates separately from Regional Retailers. She is scheduled to face Albany Magistrates Court on the second charge on June 30. Under WA law, the maximum penalty for stealing as a servant is 10 years in prison.