Alexander Greenaway: Dubbo banker appeals sentence after stealing $100k from clients for drug, alcohol addiction

A former Dubbo banker has appealed his jail sentence in court after stealing $100k from clients. Find the result here.

The Westpac branch in Dubbo where Alexander Greenaway was working. Photo: Google Maps

A former banker who stole more than $100,000 from clients to feed his alcohol and drug addiction has successfully appealed the severity of his sentence on Monday.

Alexander Greenaway, 27, appeared in Dubbo District Court supported by family members after pleading guilty to dishonestly obtain financial advantage or cause disadvantage by deception and sentenced in the local court to 15 months in jail.

An agreed set of facts tendered in court revealed Greenaway was working at Dubbo’s Westpac branch when he made fraudulent transactions between April 11, 2019 and August 11, 2021. These transactions totalled $104.920.

After Westpac Dubbo “received a complaint” from a client, saying funds had been withdrawn from their account without their consent, an investigation was established with Greenaway identified as the offender.

CCTV footage and transaction history on Westpac’s private systems were analysed to determine the extent of Greenaway’s offending and in an interview with Westpac investigators on August 12, he admitted to withdrawing the money.

Alexander Greenaway appealed the severity of his 15 month prison sentence handed to him in Dubbo Local Court in September.

“[He] stated that the money was used to buy alcohol and illicit substances,” agreed facts state.

Following the internal investigation, Westpac investigators contacted Dubbo Police Station in January this year, reporting the matter and providing evidence, including a final report showing the loss of $104,920.

CCTV footage was also handed over, depicting Greenaway performing the fraudulent transactions along with receipts and the interview where the 27-year-old made admissions.

According to the agreed facts, Westpac reimbursed the affected clients, making the bank the sole victim in the matter.

On Monday, Greenaway’s lawyer David Hemsworth appealed the severity of Greenaway’s sentence in Dubbo Local Court, saying “the overall sentence was excessive” and that an intensive corrections order (ICO) would be “appropriate”.

Despite accepting the need for general deterrence, Mr Hemsworth said his client has served one month and 11 days in custody, and given Greenaway has “taken steps [in] addressing his issues” the court could be satisfied that Greenaway would make more improvements if he were to spend the rest of his sentence in the community.

In reply, crown prosecutor Ben Gillies said “there does need … for a court to consider a general deterrence for these matters”.

He continued by explaining that Greenaway was in a “position of trust” when offending, but did oppose the imposition of an ICO as long as it was a “lengthy order … to show the serious nature of this offence”.

Judge Craig Smith said the offence “represents significant criminality”, and found the length of Magistrate Greg Grogin’s sentence from September “appropriate”.

However, Judge Smith accepted Mr Hemsworth’s appeal for an ICO, noting it would “more likely address the offender’s rehabilitation”.

“Clearly he has good prospects of rehabilitation and unlikely to reoffend,” Judge Smith said.

‘That is so subject to him not using drugs and alcohol … when I say that I mean no drugs, or no alcohol, not even a couple of drinks.

“But also treatment in relation to his mental condition.”

As part of the ICO, Greenaway must abstain from alcohol and drugs, engage with supervision from the Newcastle community corrections office and complete 100 hours of community service.

“If you muck up in the community during the time of the ICO, if you break any of the conditions, it is almost inevitable you will go back into full time [custody],” Judge Smith told Greenaway.

The ICO is set to expire on November 15 next year.