A Wellington man has been sentenced to three months' home detention and ordered to pay reparation for stealing almost $53,000 in rent from his employer to fund his gambling habit.
Stephanus Otto, who was employed as a property manager, has been convicted in the Wellington District Court on a charge of theft by a person in a special relationship.
Between November 2010 and June 2011 he adjusted computer settings to transfer money, which should have been paid to landlords on behalf of the Ministry of Education, into his own account.
When it was discovered the money was missing, Otto admitted to a gambling habit and debts.
He has been ordered to repay the stolen money, undertake gambling counselling and complete one hundred hours of community work.
He has already repaid $13,000.
