MELBOURNE MAN SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IMPRISONMENT OVER CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE OFFENCES

A former financial services representative who defrauded more than $468,000 from his clients in 2009 and 2010 was sentenced to six years imprisonment at the County Court of Victoria yesterday.

Michael Webb’s criminal enterprise offences including theft and financial advantage by deception took place over a 17-month period from March 2009 to August 2010.

In his sentencing remarks Judge Gregory Lyon told the court Mr Webb’s actions were “gravely callous” and “must be met with immediate imprisonment”.

“Your greedy selfish actions have had a real human cost on those you frauded,” Judge Lyon said.

Mr Webb did not speak as his charges were read out, each carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

Badly impacted by the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, Mr Webb first began stealing from his clients to help his daughter make mortgage payments.

At the time of his arrest last year Mr Webb was living in a caravan in the backyard of a friend’s home.

Now 60 years old, Mr Webb lives on a disability pension and suffers from both physical and mental health issues. 

Such circumstances along with Mr Webb’s guilty plea, “good character” and no further offences were all factors that mitigated his sentence, according to Judge Lyon.

Mr Webb will be eligible for parole after serving 27 months in prison.