Thief felt ‘pressure’ from workmates, so… ‘He stole for the dole’

By Michelle Herbison
A FORMER Timber Truss worker stole a nail gun within view of security cameras to lose his job, a court heard on Wednesday.
Mark Brown, 30, of Kosciusko Ave, Corio, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates Court to stealing a nail gun and its charger so he could gain Centrelink payments.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Geoff Lamb said Brown stole the nail gun on December 2 and the charger two days later by concealing them “in his waist”.
“The HR manager became aware of the theft of a nail gun from an office at the South Geelong site,” Snr Const Lamb said.
The court heard Brown admitted to a manager who confronted him that he stole and sold both items.
Brown lost his job before police arrested him on December 13.
Defence lawyer Caetlyn Wells-Simon told the court Brown reacted with “panic” when workmates realised he had previous drug problems.
“He was enjoying work but a few people learnt of his past and he felt pressure to slip into his old ways. His response was to panic.”
Ms Wells-Simon said Brown actually threw the nail gun and charger away rather than sell them because “it’d served its purpose”.
“He could access Centrelink immediately. That’s why he chose to take this action in front of the cameras.”
Brown looked anxious in court, leaning forward on his knees in a seat behind his lawyer.
A psychological report noted that Brown had mental health issues and attended counselling, the court heard.
Ms Wells-Simon said Brown was unemployed and receiving Newstart payments. He lived alone with his dogs, was applying for jobs and remained “drug-free”, she said.
Magistrate Stephen Myall fined Brown $600 and ordered him to pay $780 compensation for the theft.
“This goes to the heart of the employer-employee relationship,” Mr Myall said.