It will be a grim Christmas season for a former revenue collector with the Water Rates department who pleaded guilty to stealing over $9,000.

51 year old Eric Miller pleaded guilty to three counts of larceny by servant when he appeared before Labasa Magistrate Ropate Cabelawa late yesterday afternoon.

Miller stole $9,100 from three consumers who had made payments for services provided by the Water Rates Office between October 2005 to January 2007.

In mitigation, he told the court that he supported his wife and two children aged 18 and 30 years and that he committed the offence when he was facing financial difficulties and that he had intended to repay the money.

Miller has since paid back the money and now has to wait until December 30th to know whether he will spend the New Year’s behind bars for his crimes.