Financial Ombudsman staffer jailed over fake threats

A former Financial Services Ombudsman staffer who claimed he was the victim of a campaign of threats, prompting thousands of dollars being spent on private security, has been jailed for his lies.

Angus Trappitt fabricated bizarre and outrageous threats from a client of the ombudsman, after the client made it clear he was unhappy with the recommendation made in his case.

Apparently upset by what he perceived to be the man's hostile response to his recommendation, County Court Judge Richard Maidment said Trappitt sent a series of threatening emails purporting to be from the man between May and July 2018.

Trappitt showed the email to his bosses who spent $120,000 on private security and consultants to protect their employee and his partner and advise on the situation.

The ombudsman office also arranged and paid for alternative accommodation for Trappitt and his partner, and a holiday to Queensland to give them respite from the apparent threats.

They also provided meals and supplies, travel and transfers and legal assistance to allow Trappitt to take out an intervention order against his victim.

Trappitt made six statements to police, prompting investigations in Victoria and  Western Australia.

His victim and two others were arrested by police in WA and questioned over the allegations.

He was found guilty by a jury of six charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception totalling more than $150,000 and six charges of perjury.

Trappitt was jailed on Thursday for 17 months and ordered to complete 250 hours of community work after his release.

His final statement to police was Trappitt's downfall. He claimed that over three days in July he was threatened in the street, including with a weapon, by men sent at the direction of his victim.

It was a "bizarre and relatively outrageous story" that reached a point where his credibility was stretched too far, Judge Maidment said.

The threats stopped after he was arrested on July 20, 2018.

His brother said Trappitt had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD in adulthood, had often come across as antagonistic or contrarian, and it had been difficult for him to establish friendships.

Trappitt started school in Japan and later went to boarding school in Australia but was later withdrawn and transferred after being subjected to teasing, bullying and abuse.

Judge Maidment said Trappitt had experienced the same since being taken into custody in September last year.

Trappitt continues to deny the offending and has failed to acknowledge his criminal responsibility, which meant he would get no credit for remorse, Judge Maidment said.

But the experience of prison means he's unlikely to reoffend.

"Your incarceration will have taught you a particularly stern lesson given your mental impairments, and one hopes that will add further incentive to ensure you do not get into any further trouble with the law in future," he said.

Trappitt has already spent five months behind bars.