John Douglas Richardson jailed for stealing $115,000 of copper from Symons Clark Logistics

An employee involved in a heist that stole over $100,000 of copper from a transport company has learnt his fate in court.

A man is behind bars after he stole over $100,000 of copper under the cover of darkness from a major SA trucking company.

John Douglas Richardson, 55, committed the brazen theft to fuel his drug addiction, with the help of Tony Carl Abdilla.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Richardson commenced employment at Port Adelaide transport company, Symons Clark Logistics in September 2022.

John Richardson was jailed for stealing over $100,000 of copper. Picture: Facebook

The court heard part of Richardson’s role was issuing and receiving keys from truck drivers.

GPS tracking revealed one of the company’s trucks was turned on about 2.44am on October 15.

“This is also supported by the CCTV footage from the depot which showed the truck driving around with three large spools of copper wire in its rear tray,” Judge Paul Slattery said.

“It further showed two males wearing all black exiting the truck and later on it captured the truck leaving the depot at around 5am.”

After reviewing the CCTV footage, Symons Clark confirmed that six large spools of copper wire were taken from the depot, three having been taken on October 15 and a further three on October 17,

The value of the six spools of copper wire totalled $115,617.63.

Abdilla, 58, was arrested after police searched his property at Two Wells on October 18, and found some of the copper wiring.

The court heard Abdilla’s role was only having received at least part of the stolen goods.

Richardson was arrested the next day.

“Your counsel submitted that you did not directly remove the copper wire but, rather, you were present and arranged for its theft by having contacted a well-known copper peddler,” Judge Slattery said.

“You admitted through your counsel that your motivation into criminal activity was for the purpose of paying for drugs.”

Richardson and Abdilla both pleaded guilty to theft.

Richardson was sentenced to two years and six months jail, with a non-parole period of 14 months.

“You, Mr Richardson, breached the trust of your superiors and in turn the business to obtain significant financial gain, which you admit was for the purpose of funding your drug addiction,” Judge Slattery said.

The sentence was backdated to June 20.

Abdilla was sentenced to 11 months jail.

However due to his lesser role, the sentence was suspended on a $1000, two year good behaviour bond.

Originally published as John Douglas Richardson jailed for stealing $115,000 of copper from Symons Clark Logistics