A Rutherford man has narrowly avoided jail after defrauding his employer of almost $30,000.
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Craig Steven Gibson, of Clayton Crescent, pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining financial advantage in Maitland Local Court on Friday.
Gibson started working for Transport Repairs and Services in August 2009 as a parts manager.
The 33-year-old bought various items including parts, tools, injectors, alternators and seat covers using the company credit card before he invoiced them out using his business name and received payment for the items to his account.
This left the company paying for parts and not receiving any payment.
Facts tendered to the court said that Gibson agreed he had been running his own business using customers of his employer while obtaining the parts through TRS.
Police executed a search warrant at Gibson’s Clayton Crescent home on March 28 last year and seized paperwork, including invoices made out to and paid by Gibson, as well as a laptop.
Gibson was arrested and, in a statement to police, said he knew he was wrong and wished to repay the money.
In court, Gibson’s solicitor said his client was sorry for the offences.
In sentencing, magistrate Col Elliott said Gibson had defrauded TRS for almost two years.
“It is the continuation of intent to defraud his employer that makes this offence so reprehensible,” he said.
Mr Elliott made reference to Gibson’s good record and the fact that he is the father of two young children would mitigate sending him to jail.
Gibson was fined $3300, ordered to pay $28,720.16 in compensation and placed on a three-year good behaviour bond.