Theft at Leoben circuit board manufacturer: couple sentenced to custodial sentences
A former warehouse worker and his partner stole gold, mobile phones and laptops worth more than 240,000 euros. The Leoben Regional Court sentenced both to unconditional prison sentences.
Gold smelting, disposal in the Mur and a sold iPhone as evidence
A former employee of a Leoben circuit board manufacturer and his partner have been convicted of aggravated theft for commercial purposes at the Leoben Regional Court. According to police, the total damage amounts to more than 240,000 euros, as reported by Kleine Zeitung.
The theft was uncovered through a sold company mobile phone. The second defendant sold the device to a mobile phone shop in Kapfenberg. The new owner discovered the pre-installed company software and returned the iPhone. The shop owner contacted the industrial plant in Leoben and identified the seller on the basis of the identification document presented at the time of sale.
The investigators thus found the former warehouse worker, who voluntarily gave the officers access to his mobile phone. The device contained photos and videos of gold smelting, which clearly showed his partner as well.
Report in March, confession in court
In March, the Leoben company filed a report after seven company mobile phones went missing. In the course of the investigation, it emerged that the man had also stolen two laptops and substantial quantities of gold components during his work as a warehouse worker. The partner is said to have helped him melt down and sell the gold.
Before the lay court, both made full confessions. They had melted the gold components into gold nuggets and sold them further in Vienna. "What we couldn't smelt, we disposed of," said the main defendant. According to his own account, he threw six of the stolen smartphones into the Mur out of fear of discovery.
Initially, the two denied the allegations, but gradually admitted more and more as suspicion against them hardened.
22 months for him, 15 for her
At the start of the proceedings, Judge Armin Scheck made clear that conviction could result in up to five years in prison: "You both have previous relevant criminal convictions, so there is quite a lot at stake for you. Only a confession would be mitigating; I see no other grounds."
The main defendant, who had previously served a prison sentence for aggravated robbery and has been in custody since April, was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment. His equally previously convicted partner received 15 months, of which ten months were suspended for three years. Both were also each subject to forfeit orders of 59,285 euros in connection with the confiscation.
After brief consultation with their lawyers, both waived their right to appeal. The prosecution made no statement.
Source: Kleine Zeitung