Craig Thomson former Dobell MP convicted of theft of union funds

Former Dobell MP Craig Thomson has been convicted of theft for misusing union funds, but intends to appeal the decision.

This image has been ID-ed. Craig Thomson leaves County Court on Monday, November 24, 2014, in Melbourne, Australia. Former MP Thomson is appealing against his conviction and jail term for the misuse of HSU funds. Picture: Hamish Blair

Former Dobell MP Craig Thomson has been convicted of theft for misusing union funds.

But he has been cleared of charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception due to a prosecution error.

Victorian County Court Judge Carolyn Douglas on Monday convicted Thomson of 12 theft charges, but said it was regrettable she could not convict him on the other charges.

She said she had to acquit the former federal member for Dobell of 49 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception because the prosecution had not made out the charges in the way they were presented to the court.

“Clearly the applicant had deceived his employer, the Health Services (Union), but that is not said to be the deception,” she said on Monday.

“This is a court of law, not a court of morals.”

Thomson is appealing against his conviction and 12-month jail term, with nine months suspended, for misusing $24,538 while national secretary of the Health Services Union.

Judge Douglas is yet to hand down her sentence.

The hearing continues.