Manager stole for gambling

Press, 18 February 1983, Page 4

Manager stole for gambling

Prison was the only possible punishment. Judge Paterson told a former Keystores’ branch manager when he appeared yesterday in the District Court for sentence for stealing sums of money totalling $23,944, from the firm for betting on horses. Stephen James Savage, aged 22. (Mr M. J. Glue) was sent to prison for nine months.

The Judge said that he left the matter of compensation to be pursued by the firm.

The defendant had been a very succcessful manager for two of the firm's branches and his offending had involved a very substantial amount of money, ■ said the Judge. Mr Glue said that his client's . compulsion to gamble on horses had

reached "astronomical” proportions. When Savage started to “borrow” his firm’s money it was only meant as a temporary conversion. He had kept a meticulous record of his defalcations down to the last 77 cents,- he said.

“Savage always believed he would strike it lucky and be in a position to pay it all back." Mr Glue said. The defendant, a first offender, had shown himself to be an outstanding worker, he said.

Savage's one grave weakness had been his gambling. He was not in a position to make compensation, said Mr Glue. Mr Glue said that he found it incredible that the thefts were not discovered sooner bv the firm.