A co-accused in a $1.2 million theft trial has accused police of launching “a lazy investigation” during her closing speech to the jury.

Keiva Maronie Durham, 44, and her husband Jaymo Durham, 55, are alleged to have swindled the money from four elderly women who were clients of Ageing and Disability Services over a seven-year period.

They have also been charged with making and using false statements during the same time span which was from February 23, 2012 to July 31, 2019.

The couple originally faced nine counts — but Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe ordered the jury to return not-guilty verdicts on three of the offences involving making and using false statements.

There are now three of the same charges to be considered plus three theft-related offences.

Both pleaded not guilty to all charges and appeared at the Supreme Court conducting their own defences.

Mrs Durham said of the police probe into their affairs: “Let’s call it a lazy investigation and no necessary corroboration.”

She also criticised the prosecution on several occasions during her summing-up and added: “They have no correspondence, no testimony and nothing that shows (any offences) … and truthfully that’s because it doesn’t exist.

“Let’s be frank, the numbers in this case have been staggering, whether it’s $5, $500 or $5 million. Quite frankly, the numbers do not match up.”

Mrs Durham also told the jury: “The question is whether the transfer (of monies) is permanent, and I will say no.

“And as for creating a slush fund … I never did that.”

She said of the prosecution: “We were asked many questions and the truth be told, it was hard to remember.

“We (my husband and I) believed we had the power to delegate, and if we didn’t believe it we would not do it.”

The four alleged victims of the theft are: Doreen Stevens, Nancy Locke and Muriel and Loretta Smith.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Wolffe.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. This is to prevent any statements being published that may jeopardise the outcome of that case