Korean thief to ship out
A SOUTH Korean national will be deported after he pleaded guilty to stealing a workmate’s credit card and using it on a spending spree.
Changsu Park and the victim worked together for two weeks at a cleaning company in Cairns and she would leave her purse in his locked car.
Between July 15 and 21 this year he used the card eight times totalling $5000.
Park appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday.
The court was told he was an illegal immigrant after his work visa had expired 12 months ago.
The woman had recognised a number of places her card had been used, including a Korean grocery store. CCTV footage was reviewed and she identified Park, who was arrested on Wednesday.
As well as fraud charges, the 34-year-old also pleaded guilty to traffic offences, including driving while more than twice the limit (0.12 per cent).
Duty lawyer Linda Cho, who speaks Korean and translated proceedings for Park, said her client had been working to earn enough money to return home.
He had been unable to leave because all his possessions had been stolen.
Because he was an illegal immigrant, Ms Cho said he had to work for cash and was only receiving $300-$400 a week despite working fulltime.
Ms Cho said her client was remorseful.
He was jailed for six months wholly suspended, fined $800 and disqualified from driving for six months. He was also ordered to pay $5000 restitution.
The court was told that Park would be transferred to immigration detention awaiting deportation.