A man who admitted to stealing more than $9000 from a Bendigo gaming venue will spend six months in prison.
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Barry Dettman pleaded guilty last week to the theft of a cup containing $9264.75 from the cashier station of the Hotel Shamrock’s gaming room.
Magistrate Megan Aumair had Dettman undertake mental health and Court Integrated Services Program assessments, but it was found he was not willing to accept support services in the community.
Ms Aumair noted Dettman had also failed to engage with supports while on a community corrections order.
She said an immediate term of imprisonment was the only option available, all alternatives having been exhausted.
She convicted and sentenced Dettman to three months’ imprisonment in relation to the theft, and convicted and discharged him in relation to using cannabis.
If not for his guilty plea, Dettman would have faced eight months in jail for the offending.
Ms Aumair also sentenced Dettman to six months in prison for breaching his community corrections order, to be served concurrently with his other sentence.
He has already spent nine days in custody.
Dettman stole the cash from the Hotel Shamrock on the morning of December 29 last year.
He entered the gaming room and approached the cashier station, where he saw the cup of cash.
Dettman saw the attendant’s back was turned to him, then did a loop of the room.
Upon seeing there was no one else present, he returned to the station, again checked the attendant’s back was turned, then took the cup and put it down his vest.
He left the premises, and CCTV footage was used to track his movements south down Pall Mall. He was later arrested, and also found with some cannabis.
Dettman told police he gave $2000 of the money to another man.
In court last week, 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”.
He also told Ms Aumair, “I’ve never seen that much money in front of my face before” and described himself as “a silly old man”.
Dettman faced court last October on another dishonesty offence.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
