Desmond Pumpa's motivation was to try to draw management's attention to the treatment of clients, as well as consensual sexual activity between staff.

Defence solicitor Jason Hanke said Pumpa, sacked after 16 years working for Mercy Connect, was "misguided" though "his heart was in the right place".

His fellow workers became suspicious of the Glenroy man and eventually went to management when they discovered his hidden iPad recording a staff meeting.

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Mr Hanke argued against a conviction for the 62-year-old, pointing out that the loss of his job - he had though since obtained part-time work in the sector - already represented a serious punishment for his crime.

But Albury Local Court magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim disagreed that Pumpa should be given such leniency, as "it appears the defendant knew at the time of making these recordings that his conduct was illegal".

Mr Hanke suggested Pumpa's actions were out-of-character for a man who was described by referees as "a caring and loving person".

His prime motivation, he said, was the welfare of both his fellow workers and for the disabled children and adult clients of Mercy Connect, an organisation that helped them live independently in the community.

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Police said Pumpa made 193 secret recordings between October 5, 2015, and May 9, 2018, for which he pleaded guilty to seven counts of install or use device to record private conversations.

In the 12 months leading up to his arrest, staff had come to notice how Pumpa would bring up details of conversations between themselves and with clients from when he wasn't even working.

Also, Pumpa's black backpack was always lehttps://www.bordermail.com.au/news/court-crime/ft where staff congregated.

"The accused," police said, "thought it was wrong to record but said it was evidence in regards to workplace matters only and not criminal matters."

Pumpa was convicted and placed on a two-year community corrections order.