Korumburra Magistrates’ Court: Richard John Walsh faces charge of theft from shop

A Gippsland man getting over a tough break-up decided to drown his sorrows but didn’t pay for a bottle of booze he took from an Inverloch liquor store.

Richard Walsh faced the Korumburra Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from shop.

A heartbroken Gippsland man stole a bottle of booze from a Bass Coast bottle shop as he struggled to get over a broken relationship, a court has heard.

Richard Walsh faced the Korumburra Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from shop.

On December 28 last year, the 59-year-old entered Thirsty Camel in Inverloch and took a bottle of alcohol valued at $21 from the shelf.

Walsh continued to walk through the store, took a second bottle and paid for it at the counter, but left without paying for the first bottle.

Staff noticed the first bottle was missing from the shelf and immediately banned Walsh from the store, the court heard.

The court heard Richard Walsh entered Thirsty Camel in Inverloch in December last year and paid for a bottle of alcohol, but stole another. Picture: Google Maps

Walsh was arrested and interviewed on January 1 this year, where he told police he was having financial difficulties when questioned about the theft.

He told officers he entered the liquor store and saw that no one was at the counter at the time, and told them he paid for the second bottle.

Walsh’s defence lawyer told the court his client was an osteopath and had just gotten out of a relationship that badly affected his emotions.

His lawyer said Walsh wanted the matter “over with”, that he had been doing voluntary work in the community and sent a cheque of $50 to Thirsty Camel in Inverloch.

Magistrate Robert Stary warned Walsh that theft was a very serious charge and could carry large penalties.

Mr Stary fined Walsh $100 without a conviction.