West Australian senator Rod Culleton has avoided a conviction being recorded against him after pleading guilty in a NSW court to stealing a tow truck's key in April 2014.
The One Nation senator, who appeared in Armidale Local Court today, was ordered to pay costs of $322.85 to the owner of the tow truck.
Senator Culleton faced a maximum sentence of between two and five years for charges relating to the stealing of a $7.50 key from a tow truck driver who was trying to repossess a car he was leasing.
On Tuesday, Magistrate Michael Holmes said Senator Culleton's actions on the day were foolish, but he declined to record a conviction.
Speaking to Radio 6PR, Mr Culleton said he had no regrets.
"I've never denied right through this ordeal of not ever taking the key so I pleaded guilty to taking the single key which I put the value at seven dollars fifty. I wasn't a senator back then. I was a man going about my business and protecting my property."
When asked if he would do it again, Mr Culleton replied "absolutely."
"I will always protect my property. I don't think anyone in Australia would allow someone to go into their garage and steal their car, do you?
"Put it this way, just because I'm a senator doesn't mean I'm any better than any other Australian out there. I would always stand up on principle and what's right. Just because you get taken to court doesn't mean that you're not right."
- with AAP