Former Southern Midlands Council worker sentenced for stealing from ratepayers

An ex-Southern Midlands Council worker who stole more than $10,000 of ratepayers money to fund her “significant” gambling habit, has been sentenced.

• Former Southern Midlands Council admin worker Stacey Maree Watkins, of Bagdad has pleaded guilty to 23 counts of stealing ratepayer funds

A FORMER Southern Midlands Council worker stole more than $10,000 of ratepayers money to fund her “significant” gambling habit, has been sentenced.

Stacey Maree Watkins, 36, of Bagdad had previously pleaded guilty to 23 counts of stealing.

In the Hobart Magistrates Court before Magistrate Robert Webster on Wednesday she was sentenced to six months in home detention.

The court heard Ms Watkins had worked as a part time administration officer for the Southern Midlands Council at the Kempton office.

Her role included cashier duties and over the course of about three years, she stole more than $11,000 on 13 occasions.

The court previously heard over the four year period leading up to offending, Ms Watkins had gambled more than $545,000 through accounts with Sportsbet and TAB, with her losses totalling more than $120,000.

Ms Watkins offending could be dated back to August 31, 2016 and for every ratepayer she stole the money from, she would pay the cash back to the council in instalments.

The court previously heard the amounts stolen from ratepayers varied from about $590-$2000, on most occasions a handwritten receipt was provided, but the payment was not entered into the council’s computer system.

Stacey Watkins leaves the Hobart Magistrates Court.

On a second complaint, Ms Watkins pleaded guilty to stealing money which had been collected by the Kempton Post Office for local camping facility fees and forwarded to her at the council office.

The total amount stolen on this complaint was $935.

The court previously heard Ms Watkins had turned to gambling as a form of “escape” due to ongoing family difficulties.

Mr Webster said the mother of five had ceased gambling and had was addressing her mental health issues.

“Stealing when employed in a position of trust is more serious,” Mr Webster said.

“Previous good character if of little weight due to the need for general deterrence. This was an unsophisticated process – you tried to cover your tracks – you were always going to be caught and I think you knew that.”

Stacey Watkins leaves the Hobart Magistrates Court.

Stacey Watkins leaves the Hobart Magistrates Court.

The court heard community corrections was not in favour of a home detention order due to concerns about the impact on Ms Watkins mental health and parenting commitments.

Mr Webster said Ms Watkins had an "intense fear of incarceration” and he found home detention would be appropriate in this case.

Ms Watkins was convicted and sentenced to six months home detention and will be subject to a community corrections order for two years.