Fraudster who stole $236k from 80-year-old boss appeals jail sentence
Justin Crampton-Smith, 45, is fighting a 22-month jail term for stealing $236,427 from his elderly boss to fund crypto trades.
Justin Crampton-Smith worked as a contractor for an 80-year-old man who ran Bushcraft Equipment in Wollongong. Once trust was set up, he got access to the company's bank accounts.
From June 2021 to August 2022, Crampton-Smith moved $236,427.56 into his own accounts. Justin Crampton-Smith sent the money into his Vectronics business account and a Binance crypto account, also spending thousands on Alibaba.
A witness taking over the books found the theft and the victim told his accountant. Crampton-Smith was arrested and pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Judge Michael Love sentenced him to 22 months in July with a 14-month non-parole period. On September 11, Crampton-Smith appeared in Wollongong District Court asking for home detention instead of prison.
His lawyer said he had no past criminal record, had pleaded guilty, and had good chances for rehabilitation.
- $236,427.56
- Amount stolen
- 22 months
- Sentence
- 14 months
- Non-parole period
- June 2021 to August 2022
- Theft period
Why it mattersA man who funded failed investment schemes by robbing an elderly employer shows how breach of trust in small business can destroy retirement plans.
AustraliaOlder Australians in small business should be aware the scheme exploited access granted to trusted workers, a common vulnerability in family or long-term work relationships.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 14 h ago
