Former motel manager John Joshua Waldron pleads guilty to six of 265 fraud charges

A court says this motel manager and chronic gambler’s confessions to six of 265 fraud charges is a “solid” sign of remorse — until police revealed their reasons for disagreeing.

John Joshua Waldron, right, leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: AAP/Sam Wundke.

A motel manager who fleeced his employer to fund his $2000-a-week gambling habit has pleaded guilty to six of the 265 criminal charges filed against him.

On Wednesday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court said Joshua John Waldron’s early confessions were a “solid indication of remorse” that “qualified” him for a sentencing discount.

SA Police, however, said Waldron had continued his deception by claiming, in a court-ordered report, he had no criminal past — despite multiple fraud convictions in Queensland.

Waldron, 45, of Modbury, was arrested in April and charged with 238 aggravated counts of theft and 27 aggravated counts of dishonest dealing with documents.

Police alleged that, between June 28, 2017 and September 19, 2018, he repeatedly stole money from the Comfort Inn Haven Marina at Glenelg North.

At the start of that period, Waldron worked as the motel’s food and beverage manager — police alleged he began stealing just nine days after he obtained his job.

They further alleged that he was moved to a different role but continued to steal until the person who replaced him discovered his conduct.

Police say Waldron’s claims about his prior criminal history “are not reflective of the truth”. Picture: AAP/Sam Wundke.

The court has yet to be told the total amount Waldron is accused of stealing, which he allegedly spent betting on horseracing at the TAB.

On Wednesday, Waldron pleaded guilty to five of the theft counts and one count of dishonestly dealing with documents.

He has also pleaded guilty to stealing golf clubs from the Tea Tree Gully Golf Club and pawning them to make money.

His counsel asked for time to further negotiate with police about the remaining charges, in the hopes of “consolidating” them, and to obtain a psychological report.

They said Waldron had been “gambling over $2000 a week” as a “coping mechanism” for past trauma in his life, and that his mother had gambling issues also.

Magistrate Elizabeth Sheppard agreed to the adjournment, saying Waldron had now “qualified” for a discount on penalty through his “solid indication of remorse”.

Police prosecutors urged caution, however, saying Waldron’s interview with the author of a court-ordered pre-sentencing report “was not reflective of the truth”.

They said he had falsely claimed to have “no history of committing other crimes to fund gambling” and “no criminal history in Queensland”.

Ms Sheppard remanded Waldron on continuing bail until August.