Tasmanian Man Jailed for Fraudulent Loans to Fund Gambling Addiction
A Tasmanian man was sentenced to three months in jail today after pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining more than $11,000 in loans using his partner’s identity to support a gambling addiction.
Jared Roy McConnon, 30, appeared in the Supreme Court and admitted to seven counts of fraud and 12 counts of attempted fraud committed between January 2020 and November 2021 against his then partner. The court heard McConnon accessed the woman’s Commonwealth Bank account and personal details to apply for a total of $89,680 in loans from multiple lenders, successfully receiving $11,300 which was then spent on gambling. This case highlights the devastating financial and emotional toll gambling addiction can take on both individuals and their families.
Justice Tamara Jago sentenced McConnon to nine months imprisonment, with six months suspended for two years, meaning he will serve three months behind bars. “Your conduct involved a terrible breach of trust,” Justice Jago stated. “It went on for a reasonably significant period, just shy of two years.” The victim has been left with a damaged credit rating and over $16,000 in outstanding debt, stating in a victim impact statement she is unsure if she will ever be able to purchase a home. For those struggling with similar issues, resources are available through Gambling Help Online.
McConnon has prior dishonesty convictions dating back to 2019, and Justice Jago noted the current offenses began shortly after a sentence for previous dishonest behavior. While McConnon claims to have completed four counselling sessions and not gambled since 2023, the judge expressed concern about the adequacy of the treatment given the severity of his addiction. A compensation order was made in favor of the victim, with the amount to be determined. You can learn more about the impact of fraud on credit scores from Experian Australia.
A determination will be made regarding the amount of compensation McConnon will pay to his former partner.
