South East Regional Hospital: Samuel Scheggetman appeals theft punishment

A south coast nurse lost his job after he used cash and cards he stole from a patient’s wife to go on a spending spree. But now, on appeal, the thief’s punishment has been reduced — and a judge offered the man hope regarding his future career prospects.

Samuel Gerrit John Scheggetman had his fine reduced on appeal in Bega District Court on October 19.

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A nurse who pleaded guilty to stealing cash and bank cards from the wife of his dying patient has had his fine reduced on appeal.

Bermagui man Samuel Gerrit John Scheggetman, 42, had been handed a three-year community corrections order, ordered to pay back $300 in stolen cash, and fined $7000 in September after pleading guilty to larceny and eight counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Court documents reveal that in June, Scheggetman, who has since lost his job at the South East Regional Hospital, used the cash and cards to go on a spending spree after his shift while still in his hospital uniform, purchasing McDonald’s, high end sparkling wine and liquor, cigarettes and cat food totalling over $1000.

Bega District Court Judge Andrew Haesler said the former nurse had “destroyed the career he had worked hard to achieve”.

In Bega District Court on October 19, Judge Andrew Haesler said while Scheggetman had breached his professional obligations, it was possible he could be reinstated as a nurse in the future.

In reducing the fine to $2400, Judge Haesler said the fines had “exacerbated the tragedy” Scheggetman had “brought on himself”.

He said there was evidence Scheggetman had attempted to try to pay back the money to his victim, and had expressed remorse at his actions.

Prosecutor Alistair Tonks said the substantial fine was warranted as Scheggetman was a nurse looking after a dying patient when he stole the cash, bank card and credit card from his patient’s wife’s purse, which she had left unattended in the hospital ward.

Bega District Court Judge Andrew Haesler said Scheggetman had “destroyed the career he had worked hard to achieve”, when committing the offences.