Man jailed for theft from Otago University

A former University of Otago accounts manager has been sentenced to two years and seven months inprisonment for stealing almost $240,000 from the tertiary institution.

Graeme Geoffery Pettitt (61) appeared in the Dunedin District Court today, after previously admitting stealing $238,846.61.

That offending took place over a seven year period and consisted of 72 fraudulent payments, ranging from $645 to $9982.01.

Pettitt told police when interviewed he had a gambling problem and took the money to pay debts.