Ryan Hamrey charged for stealing $98,000 from Railway Hotel Yeppoon

A long-standing Queensland hotel manager and “impeccable” member of his community was exposed by a company audit which uncovered nearly $100,000 in missing money and left the pub in “turmoil”.

File photo of former Railway Hotel venue manager Ryan Hamrey.

A hotel manager and respected footy club volunteer stole almost $100,000 over a nine-month period until an audit exposed his offending.

Ryan John Hamrey had been a manager at Yeppoon’s Railway Hotel for a decade when he stole $98,644.80 from the pub between June 30, 2022 and April 1, 2023.

This is detailed in documents before Rockhampton Magistrates Court which reveal Hamrey was charged on June 23, 2023, after a report was filed with the police by an internal audit and process manager for the hotel’s company, Star Liquor.

According to the court documents, Mr Hamrey was the only person responsible for banking the hotel’s takings.

He had worked at the hotel since 2011 and been a venue manager from 2013 until his employment was terminated in March 2023.

In the sentencing submissions on behalf of Hamrey, it was stated he had used the money on poker machine gambling and been experiencing “severe work stress” following Covid lockdowns with decreased staff and having to work six to seven days a week from 8am to 3am as well as keeping the venue running during a major renovation.

Railway Hotel Yeppoon.

He had since gained new employment which assisted to repay the defalcated funds.

It was further stated Hamrey had also sought help through a gambling hotline and “importantly the money was not used to fund an extravagant lifestyle”.

Hamrey had no prior criminal history.

An email was tendered as evidence with the court documents from a director of the Star Hotel, stating the money had been paid back in full on January 29, a few days before the court date.

“In relation to our damages the impact this crime has had on the business is greater than just a monetary loss. It is the hard-working employees of the Railway Hotel that have been impacted the most,” it read.

“The costs of this crime go further than just the $98,644.80 that was stolen, the extra resources the business had to allocate to bring this before the courts is not limited to flights, travel costs and staff labour to not only investigate but to calm and settle the team members left in the turmoil.”

Six reference letters were submitted on behalf of Hamrey and all suggested the actions “were totally out of character”.

One reference letter from the Garraway Group, stated Hamrey was a dedicated volunteer with the Yeppoon Swans Football Club, his service hours were “immeasurable” and he was an “impeccable member of the community”.

Another letter from All Industries Group said the charge came as a shock and they had supported him from the beginning, including casual employment to help pay back the money he owed.

The letter stated Hamrey was “extremely regretful for his actions and was willing to work two jobs to be able to repay the money he had taken and regain some redemption for what he had (done).”

“Ryan has always helped others before helping himself. On numerous occasions I have witnessed Ryan to be the first to help friends in need whether it be moving house, painting their house, or anything else they have asked for assistance, he even helped myself build a trampoline for my daughter for Christmas even before he had even built his own children’s presents,” the reference read.

Hamrey pleaded guilty on February 1 for one charge of stealing as a clerk or servant.

Magistrate Kahlert gave Hamrey a three-year prison sentence, wholly suspended.

A conviction was recorded.