Yellowknife (May 02/03) - Judge Brian Bruser has decided to wait for a pre-sentence report before sentencing a man for 18 counts of fraud.

Kevin Samarin, 43, went on shopping sprees at five stores including Canadian Tire and Johns Building supplies between May, 2002, and February, 2003. He billed $7,000 worth of merchandise to his former employer Robinsons Enterprises.

Samarin provided false purchase orders and signed someone elses name.

Apart from a power bar snack, he bought mostly big ticket items such as chain saws and table saws.

Crown counsel Sadie Bond said Samarin took advantage of the trust that exists between businesses in Yellowknife.

She asked for a conditional sentence with a curfew and complete restitution.

Defence lawyer Glen Boyd said the man was in dire financial straights after losing his job and being refused welfare so he borrowed money from an acquaintance. When he couldnt repay the loan, the person suggested this alternative.

He knew it was wrong and that he would probably get caught, said Boyd.

He committed the fraud anyway, and turned over the stolen merchandise to this acquaintance who sold it down south.

Boyd said the man is remorseful and that his reputation in the construction industry is destroyed.

He asked for a conditional sentence and said Samarin is now employed and can repay his victims.

But Bruser was unconvinced about giving the man a conditional sentence.

The proposal is inappropriate, he said. Bruser added it amounts to little more than telling him to repay his victims.

The judge adjourned the sentencing to June 24 and ordered a pre-sentence report on Samarin. This will also give him time to prove his desire repay his victims, said the judge.