A man who stole more than $9000 in cash from a Bendigo gaming venue has told a court he saw the money and thought, “I’d love that”.
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Barry Dettman pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court this week to theft and using cannabis.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Dave Rennie told the court Dettman entered the gaming room at the Hotel Shamrock at 8.10am on December 29 and walked to the cashier station, where there was a cup containing $9264.75.
Dettman saw the attendant’s back was turned to him, then walked around the gaming room and saw no one else was there, before walking back to the station, again checking the attendant’s back was turned.
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He then grabbed the cup of money and placed it under his vest, and left the premises.
CCTV footage was used to track Dettman walking south along Pall Mall.
He was later arrested and police found he had some of the money.
He told police he gave $2000 to another man.
The full amount of the stolen money has not been recovered.
Dettman was also found with some cannabis.
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The court heard Dettman had appeared in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on dishonesty offences in October, and appeared for another matter in March.
Dettman, who represented himself, told magistrate Megan Aumair, “I’ve never seen that much money in front of my face before” and described himself as “a silly old man”.
He said he saw the cup of cash and did not know how much was in there, but saw a couple of thousand dollars and thought, “Aw, I’d love that”.
Ms Aumair said she did not see any other option than to impose a short term of imprisonment, but adjourned sentencing to get further information on Dettman’s mental health.
He will appear in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court again on Wednesday.
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