Harness racing club fraudster pleads guilty

Harness racing club fraudster pleads guilty

THE former Geelong Harness Racing Club committee member who stole more than $30,000 from the club to fund his gambling addiction has walked from court on a suspended jail sentence.

Trent Scott also used the club's credit card to purchase flights and holiday accommodation for friends, a court was told.

Scott, 33, who now resides in NSW, pleaded guilty in Bairnsdale Magistrates' Court yesterday to 23 counts of theft and deception totalling $30,226.56.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Leigh Groves said Scott became a committee member of Geelong Harness Racing Club and was given access to club funds in June 2010.

"This included access to club credit cards," Sen-Constable Groves said.

"He also ran a business on the track selling harness racing supplies."

The prosecutor said the offences took place between June and October 2010.

He said that on one occasion Scott gambled away $7000 of a club cheque for $12,000, which was supposed to be used to purchase items for the harness racing supplies business.

Sen-Constable Groves said on another occasion Scott used the club's credit card to purchase an $835 plasma television, which he promptly sold to obtain gambling funds.

"He received $2000 on behalf of the club for a claiming race, but lost that gambling," the prosecutor said.

"He then presented a cheque for $6000 for a horse in a claiming race but the cheque was dishonoured due to lack of funds."

Sen-Constable Groves said Scott also stole a float from the supplies business and lost that on gambling.

"Other incidents include the theft of a cash cheque for $185, which he altered to read $785," the prosecutor said.

"He also stole syndicate fees totalling $2758."

The prosecutor said the club called in a forensic accounting firm when a number of discrepancies came to light.

Sen-Constable Groves said Scott had since repaid $10,000 of the stolen money to the club.

Magistrate Lou Hill convicted Scott on all counts and sentenced him to five months' jail, suspended for two years. Scott was also ordered to pay remaining restitution of $20,226.56.