Western Sydney cop Tracey Lee Butler jailed for two years after stealing $200K evidence cash to fuel gambling addiction

A former Sydney cop has been jailed for stealing more than $200,000 cash to help maintain her gambling addiction.

Tracey Lee Butler faced Downing Centre District Court after pleading guilty to an act of misconduct as a holder of public office.

A former western Sydney NSW Police officer has been jailed for stealing more than $200,000 cash to help maintain her gambling addiction.

Tracey Lee Butler faced Downing Centre District Court on Friday, after pleading guilty to an act of misconduct as a holder of public office.

At court, Judge Guy Newton said the 58-year-old had stolen $209,730 from property bags which had been seized as police evidence between 2017 and 2022, to help fund her gambling habit and credit card debt.

Mount Druitt Police Station. Picture: File

Butler had been an officer for 22 years and was based at the Mount Druitt Police District as a Senior Constable when the offences took place, the court heard.

In 2022 suspicions were aroused when police could not find $18,000 cash, which was owed to an accused person who was entitled to get their money back.

A further search uncovered several other cash exhibits had gone missing, the court heard.

Judge Newton said while it was standard procedure for police stations to audit their cash evidence each month, it had not been done by a supervising duty officer at Mount Druitt.

An investigation was launched which found Butler had made withdrawals at St Marys Rugby League Club where she had frequented the pokies.

When arrested Butler initially denied any involvement.

Judge Newton said Butler was in a trusted position and rather than “faithfully” carrying out her duties, she stole money from more than 43 exhibit property bags for years.

Butler had been a police officer for 22 years. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

A previous defence submission stated Butler was not fully aware of the consequences because of her age and PTSD diagnosis, which had emerged from her service in the police force.

However, Judge Newton rejected the argument and said she had attempted to conceal her offending before asserting her innocence when she was arrested.

“The offender took advantage of the deficiencies in the system in the hopes she wouldn’t get caught,” he said.

“It was a breach of trust and the offence was committed for financial gain.”

Judge Newton noted she was financially stressed when she offended and was unlikely to reoffend. He also acknowledged she partook in addictive behaviours as a coping mechanism and would be vulnerable in custody after serving as an officer.

Butler was sentenced to two years and seven months in jail with a non-parole period of one year and six months.

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Originally published as Western Sydney cop Tracey Lee Butler jailed for two years after stealing $200K evidence cash to fuel gambling addiction