A Wendouree man who stole $24,700 from a financial company through a cyber attack has been sentenced to imprisonment.
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A magistrate said Dylan Johnstone, 33, knew what he was doing was wrong and he needed to send him a strong message of deterrence.
Johnstone had previously spent almost two years in prison in 2011 for obtaining false credits and causing $495,000 in losses to a Tasmanian finance company.
He had fraudulently obtained $23,000 in 2014 after making transactions into his account.
"The need for a message of deterrence is significant," Magistrate Ron Saines said.
The Ballarat Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday financial services company MoneyMe was subject to a cyber attack in January 2020 and funds were diverted into another bank account.
The need for a message of deterrence is significant.
- Magistrate Ron Saines
Investigations led to the identification of Johnstone as the recipient of $24,700 from five transactions into his own account from the fraudulent scheme.
Johnstone pleaded guilty on Monday to stealing the funds.
His defence lawyer Adrian Paull submitted Johnstone should not be sentenced to imprisonment.
The court heard a psychologist believed Johnstone's impulse control disorder contributed to the offending.
Mr Saines said he had difficulty accepting that conclusion.
He found Johnstone was morally culpable for the offending because he knew what he did was wrong.
"He transferred stolen money to other accounts and to others. He did so over time," he said.
Mr Saines said he was cautious about Johnstone's prospects for rehabilitation because of his relevant history.
He said Johnstone had not paid compensation for past offending.
Johnstone was convicted and sentenced to four months' imprisonment.
He was order to pay $22,700 compensation.
Mr Paull said Johnstone would lodge an appeal of the sentence.
He made an application for appeal bail on Thursday afternoon, which was granted.
He will reside in Wendouree on bail until his appeal is heard.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
