Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, July 9, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife woman was granted a conditional discharge in lieu of jail time after pleading guilty to stealing money from an Elks Club bingo.

The 43-year-old woman admitted to stealing $416 on Feb. 14 when she was acting as bingo supervisor, a volunteer position she held with the Elks off and on for three years.

She told the court Thursday she was battling an addiction to crack cocaine and stole the money out of desperation to pay for her habit.

The Elks Club had noticed bingo revenue was down and had installed surveillance cameras.

The woman was caught on video taking money twice the evening of Feb. 14.

After being contacted by the RCMP, she turned herself in on Feb. 27.

Crown attorney Maryse Nassar said the woman was in a position of trust with the club, but had a "sympathetic home life."

Her husband has multiple sclerosis and other health problems, and she is the sole caregiver and breadwinner.

She said the stress of the situation and depression led her to crack, to which she quickly became addicted.

The accused broke down many times during the hearing as her personal circumstances were recounted for the court.

Payne said the woman had no previous criminal record and the offence was "out of character."

Judge Brian Bruser ruled that though crimes of this nature usually draw jail time, this was "an extraordinary case" and a conditional discharge was appropriate.

"There is more to the theft of money than meets the eye," said Bruser.

"An addiction got its grip firmly upon her."

A conditional discharge means the woman will have a record, but not a criminal conviction.

She will be on probation for one year, must perform 100 hours of community service and has three months to pay back the money she stole.

She is also voluntarily going to a treatment centre in Alberta to deal with her addiction.