Unlawful Spending Source Of Anxiety
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday June 1, 2006
AFTER buying more than $24,000 in plumbing supplies on his former employer's account, a sacked worker was "worried sick" about the consequences.
Yesterday, the saga concluded when Corrimal tradesman Christian James Graham was ordered by Wollongong Local Court to undertake 200 hours of community service.The 32-year-old, of The Avenue, pleaded guilty to seven counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception. Barrister Terry McGill said Graham had been worrying about the offences since the three-week spending spree in 2002.Between May 13 and June 3, Graham purchased supplies from Reece Plumbing outlets at Unanderra, Oak Flats, Wollongong and North Wollongong on six occasions. He quoted order numbers or account details for the Sydney plumbing firm where he had been working as a subcontractor. On two occasions, he impersonated another plumber who had authority to collect goods. The orders ranged from just under $2500 to $5317. Graham has been ordered to repay a total of $24,404 to Reece.Mr McGill said the events came after Graham's employment was terminated by the Sydney firm."His employment was terminated but he says he didn't know of the termination," Mr McGill said.Graham was also fined $900 and disqualified from driving for six months for a mid-range drink-driving offence on April 18.
© 2006 Illawarra Mercury