WA gambling cop jailed for stealing money
6:40pm March 5, 2013
A former policeman who stole more than $57,000 from a Perth police station to fuel a gambling addiction has been jailed for 14 months.
Robert John Talbot Lawrence, 40, pleaded guilty to four charges of stealing as a public servant and was sentenced in the Perth District Court on Tuesday.
The court heard Lawrence stole $57,131.20 over two and a half months last year to repay a large debt stemming from a "long-term and entrenched" gambling addiction.
When he realised he could not repay the stolen money, Lawrence turned himself in to WA Police Internal Affairs and was stood down from duties.
He has since resigned as a police officer and has repaid more than $28,000, the court heard.
Judge Anthony Derrick said he accepted that Lawrence was remorseful and had "unrealistically" intended to repay the stolen money.
"It is difficult to think of many occupations in which the public places more trust in an individual," he said.
"The public have the right to expect that police officers will obey the law."
Judge Derrick noted that Lawrence had already begun his rehabilitation by attending counselling and was a low risk of re-offending.
Lawrence will be eligible for parole after serving seven months in prison.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/03/05/19/02/wa-gambling-cop-jailed-for-stealing-money
The court heard Lawrence stole $57,131.20 over two and a half months last year to repay a large debt stemming from a "long-term and entrenched" gambling addiction.
When he realised he could not repay the stolen money, Lawrence turned himself in to WA Police Internal Affairs and was stood down from duties.
He has since resigned as a police officer and has repaid more than $28,000, the court heard.
Judge Anthony Derrick said he accepted that Lawrence was remorseful and had "unrealistically" intended to repay the stolen money.
"It is difficult to think of many occupations in which the public places more trust in an individual," he said.
"The public have the right to expect that police officers will obey the law."
Judge Derrick noted that Lawrence had already begun his rehabilitation by attending counselling and was a low risk of re-offending.
Lawrence will be eligible for parole after serving seven months in prison.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/03/05/19/02/wa-gambling-cop-jailed-for-stealing-money
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