A Prospect Vale woman who diverted nearly $5000 money from her employer's business into her own bank account using a 'quite devious method' was ordered to do 100 hours of community service work.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Georgina Elizabeth Badcock 23 pleaded guilty to 30 counts of computer related fraud between January 30 and April 23, 2020.
The court heard that Badcock was a customer service representative at building products company Lysaght in Invermay.
IN OTHER NEWS:
On 22 occasions between February and April, she amended prices and deposited the difference, $3605, into her account. She also processed refunds in eight transactions worth $1266 into her account.
Badcock admitted she would manipulate and change pricing and remove delivery fees.
The court heard her debt was piling up after her rent doubled, she bought a car and she overindulged in online shopping.
But she had since turned her life around and was working as a self employed beauty therapist and nail technician.
Magistrate Simon Brown adjourned sentencing on Wednesday to obtain a pre sentence report on Badcock's suitability for community service.
He was disappointed but not surprised that the report said she was not a suitable candidate for community service because she worked on Saturdays and had mental health issues.
"There seems to be a disconnect between the report and the whole point of community service," he said.
"It is a punishment which falls short of imprisonment and is a step up from a fine."
Mr Brown said community service was an alternative to prison and that prison was not appropriate for a young offender with no prior convictions.
"It is vexing to receive a report like this," he said.
He said Badcock's offences were a breach of trust that needed an element of gereral deterrence to the community and personal deterrence to the offender.
"If you steal from your boss then there must be significant penalties," he said.
"There was some sophistication and effort in obtaining these funds."
Despite the report Mr Brown imposed a 12 month community correction order with a community service component of 100 hours.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline