Mum jailed over $24k touch footy club theft

A KINGAROY mother of five will spend the next three months in jail after admitting stealing more than $24,000 from a local sporting club. Jennifer Ann Murchie, 48, broke down as she told the court how remorseful she was for her actions, which took place between July and December 2018 and saw her funnel off $24,258.55 from the Kingaroy Touch Football Association. However she declined in court to explain what she used the cash for, and the money will likely never be repaid.

At the time of the offending, Murchie was treasurer of the touch football club where her children competed. She later told police she did not understand what a treasurer did but accepted the role to keep the association running.

Between July and December 2018, Murchie took receipt of cash payments made by players of the association, which never reached the club’s bank account. She also cashed multiple cheques from the club account which were not used for club purposes.

Murchie resigned as treasurer in December 2018, and the new treasurer attempted to obtain receipts and outstanding cheques from her but was never able to.

The 48-year-old was interviewed by police in April 2021 and issued a notice to appear.

The matter was listed for a trial in Kingaroy Magistrates Court on June 27, 2022, but instead Murchie pleaded guilty to the seven counts of stealing by clerks or servants. Murchie, who represented herself, began crying as she told the court she was “very remorseful” and had hit “rock bottom”.

“I want to get my life back on track,” she said.

Despite this, she was unable to explain to Magistrate Andrew Sinclair what the money had been spent on.

Mr Sinclair also asked whether she was capable of paying back the money owing, to which Murchie said she would need to ask her brother for assistance.

Mr Sinclair said he saw “little prospect” in her being able to pay the money back.

While the offences were “unsophisticated”, he said the theft of the money was still “very serious”.

“People in positions of trust, whether it’s a company, or a club or a business, cannot put their hands into the till,” he said.

Murchie was sentenced to 18 months jail, with a parole release date of September 27.

No order for restitution was made.