Man fined for theft of MS Society donations
A Hinton man received a $500 fine and 12 months probation, Aug. 13, for stealing a collection jar from the Jasper A&W.
A surveillance video shown in court—and circulated on Facebook in June—shows Melvin Hamilton entering the fast food restaurant with his girlfriend, who has not yet appeared in court.
Hamilton is then seen placing his jacket over the collection jar, which is a part of a display for the MS Society of Canada. In the meantime, his girlfriend distracts the cashier by ordering a drink, allowing Hamilton to leave the restaurant unnoticed.
The jar, which, according to Hamilton, contained about $60, was collecting money for the MS Society of Canada.
In Jasper Provincial Court last month, Hamilton pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000, however he said he didn’t know the money was for charity.
He received his sentence Aug. 13. As well as his fine, he will also have to pay $60 in restitution to the MS Society.
During Hamilton’s sentencing, Judge D.C. Norheim said the fact that he stole from a charity is a “significant aggravating factor.”
Norheim also took issue with Hamilton’s claim that he didn’t know the jar was a charity collection.
“The thing that concerns me is you don’t seem to take responsibility for your actions,” said Norheim.
As part of his probation, Hamilton, who admitted to having a drug problem, is required to complete a residential treatment program. He is also required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings and is not to consume drugs or alcohol.
Hamilton will appear before the court again on May 18, 2016 to prove he has completed a treatment program.
“Obviously, you are capable of leading a productive life, if you stay away from the drugs,” said Norheim.
Woman awaits sentencing for stolen credit card
After evading the court system for two years, a Manitoba woman pleaded guilty Aug. 13 to possession of a stolen credit card, fraud, and three counts of failure to appear in court.
Since being charged on May 5, 2013, Angela M. James has failed to appear more than 20 times.
She was picked up in 2013 after a wallet went missing from a car parked in the alley behind Jasper Motorcycle Tours. She was found a few doors down in Jasper Wine Merchants attempting to purchase liquor with a credit card from the wallet.
The Jasper RCMP found her there, confiscated the cards and charged her with possession of a stolen credit card and fraud for impersonating the card owner.
James, who is currently in custody, will appear in court for sentencing via CCTV Aug. 27.
She told the judge that she would like to serve her time as quickly as possible so she can attend school in Edmonton on Sept. 1 and return to Little Saskatchewan, Man. to be with her two-year-old son, who is currently living with her parents.
Judge D.C. Norheim questioned James’ credibility, pointing to the number of times she’s failed to appear in court and saying she led the court on a “merry goose chase for years.”
Nicole Veerman
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