Former SAPOL property officer Richard Lloyd Bartholomew stands trial accused of stealing from police lockup

A former cop who was meant to destroy items seized by police instead allegedly amassed a treasure trove of PlayStations, power tools and electrical gear over a decade.

Former SAPOL property officer Richard Bartholomew is charged with stealing property from SA Police. Picture: Facebook

A former SA Police property officer had no intention of selling the items he allegedly stole from police lockup over a period of 10 years, a court has heard.

Richard Lloyd Bartholomew, 58, is standing trial at Christies Beach Magistrates Court having previously pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of aggravated dishonestly taking property without consent.

Some of the items found allegedly found in on his property included various PlayStation models, a camera and computer monitors. Some items were in their original packaging.

Mr Bartholomew sat with in the dock with his arms crossed on Wednesday as Magistrate Lynette Duncan questioned his lawyer Andrew Culshaw about whether the accused had intended to sell the items.

“As I understand the allegations, it’s not suggested that your client attempted to gain benefit by pawning or selling the items,” Ms Duncan said.

“There is an inference to be drawn that is, that if he has kept them, it’s because they work and he intends to use them at some time?

“Why would you hold on to something for six or seven years if you were intending to sell it – and presumingly the value would consistently drop the older and more out of date it got?”

“There is no intention to sell them,” Mr Culshaw replied.

“The vast majority of these items were found in the back shed.”

Mr Bartholomew was working as a property officer for SA Police when he allegedly stole the items from Christie Downs and Edwardstown between 2008 and 2019.

The allegedly stolen items included various Sony PlayStation models, an iPad, a Canon Camera, Xbox, a HP computer monitor and Bosch, Makita and Milwaukee power tools, each valued at $2500 or less.

The court heard most of the items were in second-hand condition but items including Milwaukee power tools seemed to be unused while one PlayStation and a computer monitor were in their original packaging.

Mr Bartholomew was responsible for booking in the property for destruction.

The trial will continue next month.