Yellowknife (Aug 21/06) - A 40-year-old man was sentenced to six months in jail for stealing carvings and selling them to the victim's co-worker in Aklavik.

Richard Selamio was found guilty of stealing three bear carvings on March 3 from a woman he was chopping wood for.

His sentence includes 14 weeks credit for the time he has already spent in custody.

The carvings were discovered stolen when Selamio later sold them to the woman's co-worker at the Aklavik Health Centre.

Territorial court judge Bernadette Schmaltz said she could not ignore Selamio's extensive criminal record, which includes 30 convictions involving stolen property.

"I expect there are a large number of people in Aklavik that have been victims of your property offenses," said Schmaltz Friday in a Yellowknife courtroom.

Crown counsel Shannon Smallwood told court Selamio sold the stolen bear carvings for $85.

Smallwood recommended four to six months in custody as an appropriate sentence.

Schmaltz called Selamio's criminal history "consistent and persistent."

Selamio told the court he regretted his actions.

"I'm very sorry for what I have done," he said.

Schmaltz ordered Selamio to pay $85 in restitution.