Yellowknife (Oct 08/03) - A former Yellowknife resident will spend the next two years under house arrest in Alberta for writing himself more than $31,000 in forged company checks.

Darren Hutchings, who now lives in Edmonton, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud in territorial court yesterday after faking his employer's signature on a series of checks in the summer of 2000.

He was working for Yellowknife's Camco Construction at the time.

Chief Judge Michel Bourassa imposed a conditional sentence of 24 months less a day, which includes a 6 p.m. curfew on weekdays, twice-monthly visits to a probation officer and 240 hours of community service.

If Hutchings violates those terms, he could be sent to jail to serve the remainder of the sentence.

Bourassa said he had reservations about the conditional sentence, which was recommended by both the crown attorney and Hutchings' defence lawyer.

"My inclination is not to accept the joint submission," said Bourassa.

"There are no (mitigating) factors that I can see. His motivation appears to be nothing more or nothing less than greed."

Bourassa also felt Hutchings' record, which included two conviction for attempted armed robbery in 1994, warranted a stiffer sentence.

Hutchings was ordered to repay the $31,000 over the course of the next three years.