Coorparoo RSL staffer Allan Humphries fronts Ipswich Court after stealing to pay off gambling debt

An RSL staffer swiped thousands of dollars from his workplace in order to pay off his gambling debts, in what a court heard was a life-altering move that cost him far more than just his job.

Allan James Humphries, 39, leaving Ipswich Court on August 16, 2023.

An RSL staffer opened up to a courtroom west of Brisbane today, explaining how his gambling addiction had turned his world “completely upside down” after he was busted stealing from his workplace in the days leading up to Christmas.

Redbank Plains father-of-two Allan James Humphries, 39, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on August 16, 2023, to one count of stealing by clerks and servants.

The court heard he had pocketed $8400 from Coorparoo RSL & Community Club while he was employed there on December 22, 2022.

His manager had conducted an audit the next day and discovered the missing money.

The court heard Humphries quickly owned up to the theft and lost his job as a result.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jo Colston said officers had noted Humphries was “extremely remorseful” when they interviewed him.

He had explained to them that he had been desperate to pay off his gambling debts, she said.

However, this was not the first time Humphries had stolen from an employer.

Allan James Humphries, 39, leaving Ipswich Court on August 16, 2023.

Sgt Colston said Humphries had previously been convicted of stealing in 2012, after he pocketed $320 from his workplace at the time, Centenary Tavern.

Humphries represented himself in court and explained how his gambling addiction had significantly affected his life.

“Over the last nine months, my world has completely been turned upside down,” he said.

“My gambling addiction has cost me everything that I hold dear.

“It’s cost me my profession, that I spent my whole adult life working in; it cost me close friends and longstanding friendships, that any respect they had for me is now gone.

“But most hurtfully it’s also cost my relationship – my marriage of 19 years.”

Humphries told the court he had sought help for his addiction through counselling and had been fortunate enough to find new full-time work in the transport and poultry industry.

He said his new employer was aware of his stealing charges but had still taken a chance on him.

Humphries said he would support any decision the magistrate made, but noted his financial situation was still complicated.

He was still in the process of paying off two maxed-out credit cards as a result of his addiction, he explained.

Magistrate Kathleen Payne told Humphries that the court took his offending “extremely seriously” due to the “enormous breach of trust” involved.

“The community just won’t operate, businesses can’t operate if it doesn’t have faith in it’s employees,” Ms Payne said.

She sentenced Humphries to four months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years.

He was ordered to pay full restitution of $8400 to the Coorparoo RSL, which was referred to SPER.

Originally published as Coorparoo RSL staffer Allan Humphries fronts Ipswich Court after stealing to pay off gambling debt