A FORMER Queanbeyan police sergeant has been sentenced to one month in jail after pleading guilty to the theft of $18,351 from a Queanbeyan police station evidence safe.
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Queanbeyan Local Court heard this morning that 55-year-old Stuart Ross Young, who is now retired from the force, had since reimbursed NSW Police for the money he stole on several occasions between September 2011 and April 2012.
The court heard that Young’s behaviour was in some part influenced by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and associated depression following on from trauma he’d witnessed during a 22-year career in the police force.
Magistrate Chris Bone said in sentencing that he’d taken Young’s public service with the police into account as a mitigating factor, but said the need for ‘general deterrence’ demanded a jail sentence.
“These crimes are serious; $18,000 is involved,” the magistrate said.
“Cases of stealing from an employer are always serious, because there’s an element of real trust involved.
“In my opinion, a jail sentence must be imposed. There has to be a deterrent effect in cases like this,” he said.
Young was accompanied by his wife in court. It’s expected he’ll appeal the jail sentence at the District Court.
