Colin James Jury (53) appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday facing three charges of theft from between July and September last year.
One of the charges related to cash he stole from the police cafeteria’s honesty box, one referred to a banana he pilfered and another to a can of drink.
"You dipped your fingers in time and time and time again," Judge Kevin Phillips said.
"It really is quite despicable, nasty thieving."
Prosecutor Sergeant Chris George said it was difficult for the police to work out how much money was stolen because of the honesty-box system.
"Was some of your money in there?" the judge asked the officer.
"Yep," Sgt George said.
Defence counsel Chris Lynch said it was Jury’s first time before the court and it had come about through his financial hardship at the time.
"He described it as unfortunate, foolish and opportunistic," she said.
Jury had lost his job and was now on a benefit.
He suffered from type-two diabetes, the court heard, which affected his feet and his eyesight.
Ms Lynch said he was dependent on insulin.
However, Probation confirmed he was still suitable for community work.
Judge Phillips called the thefts "a major breach of trust".
"You were trusted to be honest by your employer and the man running the cafeterias and you let them all down," he said.
He sentenced Jury to 70 hours’ community work and ordered him to pay $100 reparation.
"You leave your good character in the dock when you depart," Judge Phillips told him.