Western Power employees sacked for backing rapist

Three Western Power employees who provided favourable character references for a colleague convicted of rape have been sacked by the state-owned utility.

In August, the three workers were stood down after relevations they provided character references for a senior manager, who was jailed for raping a female colleague on a 2024 work trip.

Jeffrey David Spinner, 59, was sentenced to five years in June after taking the victim to his hotel room when she was heavily intoxicated and sexually assaulting her.

Court transcripts included eight positive character references from his colleagues which the judge said indicated the rape was "out of character" for Spinner.

'Inconsistent with values'

In a statement, Western Power said after a "thorough investigation, careful consideration" and "appropriate employment processes", the three employees "no longer work for the business".

"The investigation found conduct that was inconsistent with our values, Code of Conduct and the standards we expect of everyone at Western Power," the statement read.

"Western Power remains committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace, and supporting the wellbeing of its employees."

The utility said it had commissioned an independent cultural review that was "currently underway".

Reference ban

The sackings come after WA's Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson ordered an investigation into the "shocking and disturbing" case and how it was communicated to government.

Weeks later, and after growing calls, the government rushed to ban the ability for convicted criminals to rely on good character references from family, friends and colleagues to reduce their sentences.

Work was already underway to end the practice in child abuse cases, but the government was pushed into taking further action after the Western Power saga was made public.