A 24-year-old man has been fined over a stealing/fraud incident from September last year.
The man faced Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 21 and pleaded guilty to two counts of gaining benefits via fraud and one of stealing.
Police prosecutor sergeant Darren Clifton told the court the 24-year-old was working for Beaurepairs Tyres, Bunbury in the second half of 2018.
On September 26, the man stole an ANZ credit card - belonging to the company - from another employee.
He took photos of the card before destroying it.
He then placed one $800 online bet and a $1000 bet through Sportsbet.com.au.
The man used the card's details to finalise the transaction. T
he court heard the 24-year-old assisted police with their investigation and had attended counselling at headspace.
Defence counsel Paul Chapman said his client had developed a gambling problem prior to committing the offence.
Mr Chapman revealed the incident cost the man his job and his relationship.
Mr Chapman urged the court to grant the man a spent conviction.
The defence said a conviction would deter employers from hiring the man in the future.
Describing the 24-year-old as "open" and "honest", Mr Chapman said his client felt remorse for breaching his employer's trust.
The man is currently living with his parents, who are working to prevent him from committing further offences.
Magistrate David Maclean accepted that the case was in the public's interest.
"Employers should be made aware of who they are hiring," he said.
However, he acknowledged that the 24-year-old had entered early guilty pleas and had taken responsibility for actions.
Mr Maclean was convinced that the man would not commit any further offences of this type.
The man was given a $2000 fine and granted a spent conviction.
He was also ordered to pay back the $1800.
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