An Ocean Grove man who stole thousands from a wedding on the Bellarine Peninsula in March has been released on bail after appealing his prison sentence.
Leigh Webber, 41, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Monday to stealing $3700 from the wedding of Breanna and Danny Harrison at Jack Rabbit Winery on 3 March.
The winery’s security cameras filmed Webber stealing the money from a wishing well box between 6pm and 11.15pm, the Indy reported in March.
Webber had been at a wedding at nearby Terindah Estate when he had an argument with his wife, the court heard.
According to Webber’s defence lawyer, he then decided to take back a gift he provided at the wedding but went to the wrong venue.
The father-of-two used a tool from his car to break into the padlocked box and steal cash-filled envelopes before fleeing, the court heard.
Police released images of the theft and a white ute in their hunt for a suspect in March.
A magistrate sentenced Webber to two months jail following his guilty plea, noting his history of dishonesty offences.
Webber served time behind bars in 2013 for stealing from a man shortly after he died.
The magistrate ordered Webber to pay the $3700 back to the Harrisons and fined him $900.
She also sentenced him to a 12-month corrections order for offences including petrol thefts.
But soon after Webber was granted bail until he appears in court again to appeal his sentence.
