Darwin sales rep found guilty of stealing almost $9k of meat from employer

A DARWIN sales rep has been found guilty of stealing almost $9000 worth of meat from his employer under the guise of providing it as samples to potential customers.

Ashley Chin stole almost $9000 worth of meat

A DARWIN sales rep has been found guilty of stealing almost $9000 worth of meat from his employer under the guise of providing it as samples to potential customers.

Ashley Chin, 51, was found guilty of nine counts of stealing in the Darwin Local Court on March 27.

The court heard Chin had been stealing the meat from the Winnellie warehouse of wholesaler Holco between November 2018 and January 2019.

Chin worked for the company as a sales representative for the Katherine area.

During the hearing, Chin gave evidence about his role within the company, telling the court he provided the meat taken as samples to provide to clients – as was permissible within his role.

However, Judge Greg Macdonald said Chin was “not able to specifically state which clients or potential clients got what stock.”

“It’s common ground that Holco did not at any time receive payment in respect of any of the goods,” Judge Macdonald said.

Matt Hubber, representing Chin, told the court his client was prepared to immediately compensate Holco the $8700 for the stolen goods.

“What’s important here is that he gave that money back, and straight away,” Mr Hubber said.

“He’s got that money, he has just a house. He can pay it back today.”

He argued his client should not serve any actual jail time.

“Given the quantum and if he pays it back immediately, it’s similar in some ways to Centrelink cases,” Mr Hubber said.

“A suspended sentence would be usual for something for the theft of around $20,000.”

Chin will return to court to be sentenced on May 12.