Logan mum Che Larissa Sveistrup stole employer’s $25k retirement stash

A court west of Brisbane has heard how a single mum swiped her boss’s $25k retirement stash to fund her own gastric surgery and gambling habit in a devastating act of betrayal.

Woodridge cleaner Che Larissa Sveistrup, 32, leaving Ipswich Court on October 13, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A single mum started up her own small business after swiping a hefty sum from her former employer, which a court heard she spent on medical costs and gambling.

Woodridge cleaner Che Larissa Sveistrup, 32, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on October 13, 2023, to stealing as a clerk or servant to the value of more than $5000.

The court heard Sveistrup had stolen $25,000 in cash from her employer at a Collingwood Park canteen in 2020.

The employer had been keeping the money in a tin inside the storage room and had been saving it for her retirement.

Sveistrup initially denied the offending when questioned by police, but later owned up to it after her bank records showed she had deposited $12,000 into her account shortly before the money was noticed missing.

The court heard she had spent some of the money on a gastric surgery, and put the rest towards gambling.

Defence barrister Gary Webber tendered a reference from Gamblers Anonymous that showed Sveistrup had since made steps to deal with her “gambling issues”.

Woodridge cleaner Che Larissa Sveistrup (wearing white top), 32, leaving Ipswich Court on October 13, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Mr Webber said his client was a mother of four children, who she was now the sole carer of following a marriage breakdown earlier this year.

He offered a $26,000 bank cheque to the victim from his client – noting Sveistrup had insisted on offering an extra $1000.

Judge Dennis Lynch noted Sveistrup was now self employed, having started up her own cleaning business in the years since the offending.

“It should be recognised in this case that stealing from a small business, such as the one that employed you, can have a devastating effect upon that business,” Judge Lynch said.

He said the victim’s impact statement demonstrated how Sveistrup’s “egregious behaviour” had severely impacted her.

“She trusted you as more than an employee. She trusted you as a personal friend,” Judge Lynch said.

“You should reflect upon that betrayal.”

He sentenced Sveistrup to 15 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years.

Originally published as Logan mum Che Larissa Sveistrup stole employer’s $25k retirement stash