Dad stole $2k in fuel from station boss

A FATHER has pleaded guilty to skimming almost $2000 worth of fuel from his former employer.

Between January 2017 and December 2018, Dean Allen Pope made seven false entries into a Roper Valley Pastoral Company property fuel record book, resulting in about $1954 worth of fuel being stolen.

The 39-year-old, who pleaded guilty on Tuesday, was working as the manager of a station in Capella.

The Townsville Magistrates Court heard Pope told another employee to first clear the meter on the fuel bowser then take a photo of total fuel meter once filled and forward it to the station owner.

Pope would then transfer this information to the fuel record book and change the figures.

It was found he stole more than 1400l of diesel for his personal use.

Police prosecutor Jessica Mills said the Capella man initially denied his actions when his bosses confronted him, before later breaking down and admitting to the crime.

“He was in a position of trust as a station member,” she said.

“The offending occurred over a period of nearly two years, involving a detailed level of deceit. A conviction should be recorded so future employees can be aware the defendant acted dishonestly,” she said.

But defence barrister Harvey Walters argued his client had already suffered enough.

Just months before he left the company in February 2019, Pope was involved in a buggy accident and is no longer able to work in the agricultural industry.

“He is remorseful … and the recording of a conviction will have an impact on his economic and social wellbeing,” Mr Walters said.

Magistrate Cathy Wadley agreed, ruling that a conviction could have adverse effects on Pope’s chances of employment.

She fined him $1800 and order him to pay $1954 in restitution.

Convictions corded.

HE WAS IN A POSITION OF TRUST AS A STATION MEMBER. THE OFFENDING OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF NEARLY TWO YEARS, INVOLVING A DETAILED LEVEL OF DECEIT

JESSICA MILLS

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