The wife of former MP Craig Thomson has said her husband is “a good man” who is sorry for the “hurt” he has caused.
Zoe Arnold was one of nine friends and family members who tendered character references to the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday.
“My husband is a good man,” Zoe wrote. ”I know Craig is sorry for the hurt he has caused his family, friends, colleagues and supporters.
”Craig has been a devoted husband, partner and friend to me. He supports, encourages and loves me every day.
”I know I am lucky to have him and will continue to support him, just as he always supports me.”
Arnold also said Thomson was beloved by the couple’s two young children.
“He is the best dad I have ever met,” she wrote. “He is beloved by our children who constantly ask where he is if he’s not home. They adore their daddy who in turn dotes on them.”
She said the past five years had been extremely difficult and the media scrutiny had made them fear for their children’s safety.
”We have felt like prisoners in our own home: this has been a horrible experience for us, especially since we have two young children,” Arnold wrote.
Thomson was last month found guilty of 65 fraud and theft charges relating to his misuse of his Health Services Union credit card between 2002 and 2008 when he was the union’s national secretary.
He will be sentenced next Tuesday.
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