A MARYBOROUGH truck driver who stole $300 collected for the Royal Children’s Hospital appeal from Echuca’s 24-hour Caltex service station has received a suspended jail sentence.
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Brett Cornwill, 37, pleaded guilty in Echuca Magistrates Court on Tuesday to stealing the collection tin from the service station on the corner of Ogilvie Avenue and the Northern Highway on September 25, 2012.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Alan Walker told the court that Cornwill went into the service station about 7.30pm, put the tin in his bag and left.
‘‘On October 3 (2012), he went back into to the service station. Staff recognised him and rang the police,’’ Leading Senior Constable Walker said.
He said police viewed the security footage and Cornwill was arrested and interviewed at Echuca police station, where he admitted to stealing the money.
Leading Senior Constable Walker said Cornwill later returned to the Caltex servo and repaid the stolen money.
‘‘His reasons for his fail to appear and fail to answer bail, he said: ‘I can’t get to court. I’m a truck driver’,’’ Leading Senior Constable Walker said.
Cornwill represented himself in court and said he had paid back the stolen money and an extra $100.
‘‘It was a stupid thing to do. I’ve paid the money back. What else can I do?’’ he said.
Magistrate David Wright asked Cornwill if he had anything else to say in his defence, but he did not.
‘‘In that case, seeing as it’s such a low act, I convict and sentence you to three months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for six months, only because you paid it back,’’ Mr Wright said.
He also fined Cornwill $600.
- Riverine Herald
