Man stole more than $6.5k from employer while working at local bottle shop

On 35 separate days across a period of three months, the man made a total of 166 no sale transactions and he only stopped when he was caught.

The court heard Coulton would make a mental note of how much cash he had put in the till before taking it at the end of his shift.

A magistrate has described a man’s efforts to steal money from his employer as “risky” and “systematic” after he stole more than $6500 from a local business.

Karl Adam Coulton, 37, pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday to a number of offences including stealing by clerks and servants and possessing dangerous drugs.

The court heard Coulton was working at the Young Australian Hotel in the Thirsty Camel bottle shop.

Over the course of three months, between April and July last year, Coulton stole more than $6,500 by manipulating the cash register.

The court heard when customers paid cash Coulton would press a button on the screen that would open the till after scanning the item and depositing the cash.

The transaction was then recorded as a no sale.

The court heard Coulton would make a mental note of the accumulating cash and then take it at the end of the shift.

Coulton’s stealing was found out when the business did a stocktake where the large number of no sale transactions were found.

The court heard Coulton made a total of 166 no sale transaction across 35 separate days across the three months.

The total stolen was $6541.22.

Coulton’s employment was terminated on July 3 last year and made admissions when spoken to by police.

On March 7 this year police searched Coulton’s home where they found a small amount of marijuana and a water pipe.

October 20 last year saw Coulton pulled over on Goodwood Rd where he was found driving unlicensed and with marijuana in his system.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Grant Klaassen told the court none of the money had been returned to the business and restitution was sought.

He said Coulton had entries of drug driving and unlicensed driving in his history.

Sergeant Klaassen said a term of imprisonment wholly suspended was within range as an appropriate penalty.

Coulton’s lawyer, barrister Craig Ryan, told the court the stealing was the most serious of the offence.

He said Coulton didn’t realise how much he had stolen but accepted the figure.

Mr Ryan said he was instructed by Coulton that people had allegedly threatened to harm his children and he stole the money to give to them, but conceded nothing had been reported to police.

He said his client was introduced to drugs during a relationship and that in recent times he’d struggled with marijuana use.

Mr Ryan said Coulton’s history reflects he was a person who “fails to take responsibility for his actions” by failing to appear and not show up for appointment.

He submitted to the court Coulton would be assisted by a period of probation.

Magistrate Andrew Moloney took into account Coulton’s plea of guilty.

Mr Moloney described Coulton’s offending as “risky”, “systematic” and “not sophisticated”.

He also took into account Coulton’s offending only stopped when he was caught and his previous history which also included entries of stealing and fraud.

Coulton was sentenced to six months imprisonment which was wholly suspended for a period of 18 months, he was also ordered to pay $6541.22 restitution.

He also received a total of $800 in fines and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for six months.