Woman who stole nearly $1 million from workplace to fund Facebook gambling loses appeal against six-year jail term
A Hobart woman has appealed her six-year jail term after she stole nearly $1 million from her workplace to play a Facebook gambling game. THE OUTCOME >>
Police & Courts
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A SANDY Bay woman who stole nearly $1 million from her workplace to fund her addiction to Facebook gambling game “Heart of Vegas” has failed in her bid for a shorter jail term.
On Thursday, the Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed Rachel Naomi Perri’s appeal against her jail sentence of six years, with a non-parole period of three-and-a-half years.
Lawyer Greg Barns SC argued the case was “outside the ordinary”, arguing Perri suffered a gambling disorder of “extreme magnitude” that reduced her moral culpability.
Heart of Vegas gives users access to an electronic poker machine using virtual coins or credits – but winnings cannot be redeemed for real money.
“The game is readily available on the internet. It’s an extraordinary game, there is no money to be earned or won,” Mr Barns said.
“You simply win tokens and there’s no ability to win money.
“Ms Perri was so addicted to this game that she would go to bed at night setting her computer so it would continue playing automatically overnight, and then get up in the morning and continue.”
Chief Justice Alan Blow noted “the people that devised it must be laughing”.
Perri, who was jailed last year after pleading guilty to 25 counts of computer-related fraud and one count of fraud, made 475 fraudulent transactions between 2016 and 2019 while working as a practice manager with Tasmanian Veterinary Services.
In total, she stole $940,221.47 from her employer. Perri also fraudulently applied for a Virgin credit card, making purchases and payment to the tune of $24,218.08.
Mr Barns said Perri accrued “very large debts owed to credit companies and banks” to pay for the tokens, and was not motivated by “pure greed or desire to fund some other illegal activity, such as the use of drugs”.
“This is a longstanding, very severe addiction,” he said.
But Crown counsel argued Perri’s level of planning and deceit was “significant”, with “sophisticated” offending that continued for a prolonged period of three years and four months.
“The quantity involved was significant and there is little chance of recovery,” Chief Justice Blow and Justices Stephen Estcourt and Robert Pearce heard.
“Her insight into her offending was present.”
After just a few minutes of deliberation, the trio of judges dismissed the appeal.
“We’re unanimous in the view that the sentence in this case was not manifestly excessive – that applies to both the head sentence and the non-parole period,” Chief Justice Blow said.