A former JB Hi-Fi store manager who used fake receipts to pocket more than $22,500 from two of the business's Canberra stores has been ordered to complete 150 hours of community service.
Achoe Malarone, 41, fleeced stores at Phillip and Belconnen of the cash through 15 fraudulent transactions involving false receipts and customers for amounts between $800 and $2500 between October 2014 and May 2015.
He was charged after the ruse was uncovered by a loss prevention officer and he resigned.
Malarone pleaded guilty to obtaining financial advantage by deception and faced the ACT Supreme Court for sentencing on Wednesday.
The court heard mounting debts, an interstate move and a period of unemployment led to a time of financial and personal stress around the time the offending began.
Malarone, from the witness box, said he regretted what he'd done but rejected a suggestion from the prosecutor that he had been living beyond his means.
Defence lawyer Angus Webb said while the prosecution wasn't seeking reparations, his client was willing to repay the money.
The court was told Malarone, who did not have a criminal history, had a new job, a stable housing arrangement and solid family life.
Justice John Burns said the offences had been a significant breach of trust and accepted while the offences were not particularly sophisticated, they showed a degree of planning and pre-meditation.
The judge said Malarone had expressed remorse and considered it genuine, noting he had very good prospects for rehabilitation.
Justice Burns sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment, to be fully suspended upon entering a two-year good behaviour order.
He ordered Malarone perform the community service and repay the business in monthly instalments.