Nathan James Donaldson defrauds Fantastic Furniture in Maroochydore

A 25-year-old Palmwoods man was busted with his hand in the till at a Sunshine Coast furniture shop after taking thousands of dollars from his workplace, a court has heard.

Nathan James Donaldson leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

A Palmwoods man with his hand in the till at a Maroochydore furniture business took thousands of dollars from his employer through fraudulent refunds, a court heard.

Nathan James Donaldson put refunds for Fantastic Furniture customers into his own bank account five times from September 2020 to March 2021.

Police prosecutor David Hoffmann said the 25-year-old Palmwoods man used his position as a cashier sales assistant to conduct refunds for customers.

Nathan James Donaldson leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

Donaldson would then deposit the money into his own bank account.

The Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Donaldson defrauded the business a total of $3009.

The aspiring chef also forged a medical certificate from a doctor’s clinic to bludge days off work from June 5 to 10.

Senior Constable Hoffman said he gave the certificate to his employer and was paid for the two days he had forged.

Donaldson had no criminal history.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud, forgery and uttering a forged document and was given three months’ jail, suspended for nine months.

Donaldson was ordered to complete 80 hours’ community service and will pay $1500 restitution.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Nathan James Donaldson defrauds Fantastic Furniture in Maroochydore