Thief grabbed cash, paroled at once
AN opportunistic thief who stole petty cash from a business while his girlfriend waited in the car has been given a jail sentence.
Ernest Ronald Saunders entered the Rockhampton irrigation business just after midday in April 8.
While inside, Saunders swiped $1400 in petty cash and a $270 cash payment sitting inside the office.
With the cash in hand, Saunders fled from the property and into the car his girlfriend, Cadence Anjuli Findlay, was waiting in outside.
Defence solicitor Daniel Habermann told the court Saunders was not planning to take the money and took the opportunity for theft when it arose.
"(Findlay) became unwittingly involved and she drove the vehicle when (Saunders) impulsively took the money tin," he said.
"He told her what happened and she drove away."
The court heard 28-year-old Saunders had a history of dishonesty and in 2011 was paroled in relation to a break-and-enter offence.
The Mt Marshall man was yesterday sentenced to six months jail, but was released on immediate parole.
Findlay, who has no criminal history, was fined $350.
No conviction was recorded against her.
