Brayden Alex Cooper pleaded guilty to one count of stealing by a servant

A security guard did the opposite of what he was supposed to when he stole from the business that was employing him to stop such offences.

A security guard did the opposite of the job he was paid to do when he stole from his employer.

Brayden Alex Cooper pleaded guilty in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court to one count of stealing as a servant.

The court heard Cooper had been employed as a security guard at a marine services business when he took items, including various tool sets, from an area that could only be accessed with a pass.

Eventually, as others noticed the items were missing, Cooper was confronted by a manager at the business.

When police spoke to him, he told them he had taken the tools to “do some woodwork”, the court was told.

Defence lawyer Daniel Olds said his client was 23 and looking for work.

Cooper had previously worked in security for six years, the court was told, and during his employment at the business he had been allowed to borrow items.

Brayden Alex Cooper pleaded guilty to one count of stealing as a servant when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

However, he admitted he had taken items without the intention of bringing them back.

After his offending was discovered, the items had been returned, the court was told.

Mr Olds said his client, who had a previous conviction for fraud, was remorseful for his behaviour, adding that his role had been more involved in maintenance than security.

But Magistrate Trinity McGarvie did not accept that as an excuse.

She said when working as a security guard, Cooper had been not just an employee but a person trusted with the job of stopping people from stealing items from the business.

“You were employed in a very particular role of trust,” Ms McGarvie said, adding Cooper had been on a community-based order for a fraud offence when he stole items from the business he was working for.

Cooper was fined $2000 and a conviction was recorded.