Ex-Jetts Fitness Maroochydore gym manager Leigh Baker pleads guilty to computer hacking

A former club manager at a Sunshine Coast gym has admitted to using the fitness centre’s computer without proper permission, causing tens of thousands of dollars in financial loss.

Leigh Thomas Baker was an employee at Jetts Fitness Maroochydore. Picture: Patrick Woods

A former Sunshine Coast gym manager has been convicted after causing his former employer a loss of $20,000.

Leigh Thomas Baker was a highly regarded gym manager at the popular Australian franchise Jetts Fitness, earning himself internal awards for his time at its Albury-Wodonga and Maroochydore businesses.

Despite his fitness accolades, the 38-year-old left the business after multiple instances of computer hacking were discovered by the gym owner.

His unauthorised access to the gym’s computer, which stretched over a year-and-a-half, was heard in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to 17 counts of using a restricted computer without consent.

The court heard four of the computer hacking charges had their circumstances to cause a detriment removed.

Police prosecutor Val Crossley withdrew 12 charges of fraud which were before the court.

The court heard Baker, who was employed as a manager at Jetts Fitness Maroochydore for a number of years, had been caught by his employer authorising membership cancellations without permission.

Baker worked at the popular Maroochydore gym for several years. Picture: Patrick Woods

The 38-year-old Maroochydore man stepped down from management duties for a time and was a only a personal trainer when he used the gym’s computer without his employer’s consent.

Acting Senior Sergeant Crossley said from November 2, 2022 to March 10 last year, Baker caused the business a financial loss of $20,246.35.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said Baker’s boss discovered a membership had been cancelled last year and an internal investigation revealed the 38-year-old was authorising them.

The police prosecutor said it was accepted there was no malicious intent involved in Baker’s computer hacking, and he did not benefit financially from the membership cancellations.

Defence barrister Gabriel Perry said Baker was employed at the Maroochydore gym for nearly nine years prior to being charged. Before this he worked at Jetts Fitness at Albury-Wodonga.

Baker outside court at a previous mention. Picture: Sam Turner

Mr Perry said Baker was highly regarded in the fitness injury, and had won company awards for his efforts as a manager in Victoria and Queensland.

The barrister said during the 38-year-old’s tenure he would routinely help with members cancelling their memberships.

Baker’s defence team claimed the former manager continued to do this even after stepping down to the role of personal trainer because he “remained invested” in the success of the business and “couldn’t let go”.

Mr Perry however said Baker accepted he had no permission to do this, was remorseful and was prepared to pay back the total cost of lost membership payments after he was sentenced. Baker also had no criminal history.

Mr Madsen said it was “extremely poor decision making” and found it difficult to accept it was out of devotion to the business, but did accept it nonetheless.

The magistrate also agreed there was no malicious intent in the unauthorised computer access.

Baker was ordered to complete 100 hours’ community service and must repay restitution.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Ex-Jetts Fitness Maroochydore gym manager Leigh Baker pleads guilty to computer hacking