SURF & TURFED
Woman jailed for stealing $ 270K from lifesaving club
A WOMAN was sentenced to six years in jail for defrauding a lifesaving club of $ 270,000.
Sharryn Maree Fahy, 49, faced Townsville District Court yesterday to be sentenced for defrauding the Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club of $ 273,658.57 between 2011 and 2015 while she was employed as a full- time administrator.
Crown prosecutor Shannon Sutherland told the court Fahy made 379 fraudulent transactions, the first just four days after starting the job.
Defence barrister Justin Greggery said at the time of the offending, Fahy was experiencing financial stress and the deterioration of her marriage, which had affected her mental state.
A WOMAN who defrauded the Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club of more than $ 270,000 has been jailed.
Sharryn Maree Fahy, 49, faced Townsville District Court yesterday to be sentenced for defrauding the club of $ 273,658.57 between 2011 and 2015 while employed as a full- time administrator. The court heard none of the money had or would be repaid.
Crown prosecutor Shannon Sutherland told the court Fahy made 379 fraudulent transactions, the first just four days after starting the job.
“These transactions varied in size from $ 35.70 to $ 3800 and there were often multiple transactions per week, sometimes on consecutive days or multiple times per day,” she said. “It was apparent from the defendant’s bank records that the bank credits were used to repay approximately $ 112,000 towards a Commonwealth Bank loan and everyday expenses such as groceries and fast food so it seems she was not living an extravagant lifestyle.
“Your honour can infer that the defendant’s actions would no doubt have had a significant impact on both the surf lifesaving club and the supporters club, who are not- for- profit entities who service the community.”
The court heard that an audit of the club’s accounts in the 2014 to 2015 financial year revealed money being transferred into Fahy’s personal account and the club reported the matter to police and hired a forensic accountant.
Defence barrister Justin Greggery said at the time of the offending, Fahy was experiencing financial stress and the deterioration of her marriage, which had affected her mental state.
Mr Greggery said Fahy’s sense of morality was “completely overtaken by the other stressors in her life”.
Judge William Everson described the offence as “absolutely despicable” and noted that she “offended right up until she was sacked”.
“Stealing this amount of money from a position of trust is bad enough but when you do it from a community organisation it’s particularly heinous,” he said. Fahy was sentenced to six- years’ imprisonment and will be eligible for parole on October 19, 2019.
Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club president Darrin Bragg told the Bulletin it had caused members “a lot of hard work and a lot of angst”.
“We had a lot of trust in that person and she abused that trust,” he said. “She’s disadvantaged patrolling members that try and keep our beaches safe for the community.”