Michael John Devereux sentenced for stealing $800 from Rydges Mackay Suites’ safe

A Mackay hotel clerk was busted trying to return stolen money back to his employer’s safe, but he said he was trying to give it to a customer.

A former Mackay hotel clerk busted trying to return $800 of stolen money back to his employer’s safe has avoided jail for his actions.

Michael John Devereux was working at Rydges Mackay Suites when he stole $800 from a gaming safe on the premises on October 24, 2021.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the 31-year-old man then hid the money around the bar, including near the cash register and under a fridge, before pocketing the cash and leaving the hotel.

Crown prosecutor Harry Coburn said the stolen money was a deposit from a customer’s reservation, with the business being alerted to the missing cash when the client returned to the hotel.

He said Devereux took out a personal loan on October 22, 2021 and returned the $800 to the safe.

Michael John Devereux appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court on December 1 charged with stealing as a clerk. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Mr Coburn said Devereux told the business the money was a customer’s winnings from a pokie machine they had left behind, and he was trying to return the money to the customer.

When he was outside of the business, Devereux said he had lost the $800, and that he was trying to do the right thing.

Rydges Mackay Suites confirmed the money had been returned in its entirety, but Devereux was no longer employed at the hotel, where he had worked for about six months.

“It is a serious offence, Your Honour, but it was somewhat mitigated by the fact that he has gone out of his way to return that amount,” Mr Coburn said.

Devereux pleaded guilty on Monday to stealing as a clerk as well as wilful damage, after pouring a jug of water on a television at Mackay Base Hospital.

The court heard he was a patient in the mental health unit where he was voluntarily receiving treatment.

Police were called to the hospital about 8.30pm on November 13, 2020, after he poured a jug of water on a television and computer accessories in the crafts room, with the equipment rendered inoperable.

The duty lawyer who appeared for Devereux said he had shown remorse for his actions through his early plea and noted he had mental health issues.

“It is low-level offending at that amount of money … I think a fine and no recording of conviction and he’s willing to pay the restitution of $520,” she said.

Michael John Devereux appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court on December 1 charged with stealing as a clerk. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Mackay Magistrate Damien Dwyer said Devereux needed to take responsibility for his actions.

“You made that decision, and that’s what you’ve got to live with,” he said.

“It’s already had some result with you losing your job.”

Devereux was fined $1200 and ordered to pay $520 restitution to Mackay Base Hospital for the damaged television.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Michael John Devereux sentenced for stealing $800 from Rydges Mackay Suites’ safe