Former Crust manager Amanda Patricia Mulligan sentenced for stealing cash from boss

A Townsville pizza shop manager’s plan to steal from her boss was foiled after she was caught using an unsuspecting locksmith to open the safe.

A pizza shop manager’s plan to steal from her boss was foiled after she was caught using an unsuspecting locksmith to open a safe in order to steal thousands in cash.

Former Crust Pizza Idalia manager Amanda Patricia Mulligan made off with $2800 after using a locksmith to open a safe at her workplace in February 2020.

A concerned employee raised the alarm, and when the owner confronted Mulligan she said she was being evicted, and was under financial strain but that she would repay the amount in full.

Mulligan pleaded guilty in Townsville Magistrates Court to a count of stealing by clerks and servants.

Police prosecutor Emily Olditch submitted despite Mulligan’s initial remorse to police, not a single repayment had since been made to the business owner.

Amanda Mulligan (Davies) at Crust Pizza in Idalia. Picture: Evan Morgan

“This is not an early plea of guilty,” Ms Olditch said.

“Beyond what she said to officers, she has not demonstrated remorse since …”

Speaking to Magistrate Viviana Keegan about her offending, Mulligan said the theft was something she had “never considered” previously in her 15-year retail career.

But Magistrate Viviana Keegan was not convinced, pointing out Mulligan had gone to the extent of using a locksmith to open the safe and access the cash.

Mulligan said she had tried to offer restitution, but the owner of the business had “cut contact” with her and “not accepted” her offer to pay them back.

“ … That was two and a half years ago, you could have made out a cheque …,” Ms Keegan said.

When asked if she had the $2800, Mulligan said she did not, and that while she was working as a swimming instructor, she was currently “homeless”.

Ms Keegan said Mulligan’s submission “lacked credibility”.

“You claim you had financial stress at the time … however it wasn’t a spur of the moment offence, it was quite calculated … I don’t think you understand how serious stealing from your employer is – it involves a huge breach of trust.”

Mulligan was sentenced to six months jail, wholly suspended for 18 months.

She must pay $2800 restitution by June 12, 2023.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Former Crust manager Amanda Patricia Mulligan sentenced for stealing cash from boss