Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Aaron Bunch
Qld cancer sufferer stole $87k from boss

A Brisbane medical centre manager, who stole thousands of dollars from her employer for over six-years, was caught when she took leave to battle breast cancer.

October 3, 2019

A Brisbane medical centre manager who stole tens of thousands of dollars from her employer was caught after taking leave to battle breast cancer, a court has heard.

Paula Ann Tobin, 50, pleaded guilty to stealing $86,996.46 from the Sunnybank Hills General Practice between October 2011 and October 2017.

Tobin’s six-years’ of theft was only uncovered because she self-diagnosed cancer and took leave to seek treatment, Brisbane District Court heard on Thursday.

“It was then that other persons became involved and subsequently it became clear the offending had occurred,” Judge John Coker said.

An investigation found Tobin stole cash from the practice’s bank deposits on 446 occasions.

The mother of two initially denied stealing but was forced to own up after undeposited bank bags were discovered in a filing cabinet with her handwriting on them.

Judge Coker said her initial denials “cast a shadow” over the honesty of every member of the team at the practice resulting in them also being investigated.

“So many businesses put their faith and reliance in their staff to act in a trustworthy and honest manner,” he said.

“The failure to do so has dreadful consequences, not only for the persons who may find themselves before the court but also those who find their businesses in jeopardy.”

The court heard Tobin stole the money after she took on “responsibility for the behaviour of her older son” who was in jail at the time.

“Your own circumstances are tragic … it is clear you have found yourself in a situation where you have gotten in over your head,” Judge Coker said.

“You have felt a deep sense of shame both around your son’s behaviour and in relation to your own behaviour.”

He sentenced Tobin to four years in prison to be suspended after 12 months.

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