That protected class again

Cop who stole $10,000 avoids jail

A Victorian policeman who stole $10,000 from the boot of a car and split it with a colleague has avoided jail. Anthony Antal, 32, was a senior constable at Rosebud police station when he stole the cash from a stranded car at Flinders, on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula, on June 14, 2005. He was on duty with another senior constable at the time and told his superiors they split the cash, each allegedly receiving $5,000.

Antal pleaded guilty to one count of theft in the Victorian County Court, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years. Today, Judge Thomas Wodak sentenced him to six months' jail, wholly suspended for 24 months. "Such conduct demonstrates a breach of the trust citizens, and the community generally, are entitled to, and do, place in police officers," Judge Wodak said.

He said Antal's guilty plea, cooperation with police and mental health were mitigating factors. Antal was also ordered to pay $10,170 to the owner of the cash, Merlene Johnstone. The other policeman plans to contest the charges at a later date.

Report here


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