After quitting due to a heated disagreement with his boss at Red Rooster, Scott Evan McCormick sought revenge by accessing the business' stock-ordering system remotely.
The 23-year-old ordered A$67,732.73 (NZ$87,672.10) of "stock" - chickens - from five separate suppliers to be delivered to the franchise.
An alert supplier noticed the unusually large amount and contacted Red Rooster at Indooroopilly which cancelled the order before it was delivered.
The owner then called police.
Ipswich Magistrates Court heard McCormick, 23, had worked at the store for 18 months but left after a disagreement.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Brad Dick said the stunt was more than just a "harmless prank".
"It was only by the alertness on the part of the supplier that no actual detriment was caused," Snr Cnst Dick said.
McCormick, who had no prior history, pleaded guilty to using a restricted computer without consent to cause or intend to cause detriment, damage or gain.
The Collingwood Park resident was ordered to perform 150 hours of unpaid community service.
No conviction was recorded.
Defence lawyer Clark Bushnell said his client had an argument with the owner over what he believed were safety issues.
"Hopefully this is a singular aberration in his life," he said.
"You can see he's got red hair; maybe it's a function of that."
Mr Bushnell saidMcCormick accessed the orders using Red Rooster's website and password.
Red Rooster could not be reached for comment.
vBulletin Message