ATM thief couldn’t resist golden opportunity

After a previous user forgot to take his bank card from the ATM, Charles Frederic Bryde swooped to make his own hefty withdrawal.

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A MAN who stole money from an ATM during an “opportunistic” robbery used the money to pay bills.

Charles Frederic Bryde, 35, faced the Townsville Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to stealing.

The Townsville Magistrates Court heard on March 8, 2019, at 5.41pm Bryde stole $600 from a Commonwealth Bank ATM in Townsville City.

Police prosecutor Tim Madsen said the previous user had forgotten to take his bank card from the ATM.

Charles Frederic Bryde was fined $750 for stealing Australian currency from a Commonwealth Bank ATM.

“He went to deposit money and he forgot to end the process, leaving the MasterCard inside the ATM and was still active,” he said.

“At this stage the defendant withdrew $600 from the complainants account.”

Mr Madsen said police arrested Bryde in January this year and made full admissions about the offence.

The court heard Bryde did not have previous convictions for dishonesty offences.

Defence solicitor Emily Olditch said her client was an employee at the Townsville Meatworks and was experiencing financial problems.

“I am instructed Mr Bryde was struggling with money at the time and he took the opportunity to use the money to pay for bills,” he said.

“He instructs he is very sorry and he understands it was a stupid thing to do.”

Magistrate Steven Mosch told Bryde the crime was opportunistic and inexcusable.

Bryde was fined $750. Mr Mosch ordered Bryde to pay $600 restitution to his victim. A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as ATM thief couldn’t resist golden opportunity