Young gets six-month conditional sentence and one-year probation CORNER BROOK CLIFF WELLS The Western Star

Lawyer Jim Goudie and Marilyn Young confer while the judge is out of the court room deciding her sentence for fraud over $5,000 Wednesday afternoon. Young received six months conditional sentence and 12 months probation. — Star photo by Cliff Wells

A gambling addiction led Marilyn Young to commit fraud over $5,000 for which she was given a conditional sentence and probation Wednesday.

Judge Catherine Allen-Westby handed Young a sentence of six months in custody to be served as a conditional sentence with 40 hours of community service to be completed during that time. She also imposed 12-months of probation with a further 60 hours of community service to be done during that period. She was also ordered to pay restitution for $6,003 over 18 months. The victim fine surcharge was waived.

According to the facts Crown attorney Adam Sparkes read into the record at her sentencing hearing in provincial court in Corner Brook Wednesday afternoon, in the year following Oct, 15, 2005 Young, now 56, committed fraud by cashing 19 cheques totalling $6,003 from the Newfoundland and Labrador Rural Development Council, at which she volunteered. Some of the cheques she signed herself and others she had forged another signature.

Sparkes told the court the pre-sentence report indicated a gambling addiction was the impetus for the Deer Lake resident’s initiation to criminal activity at such a late age.

He recommended four to eight months of imprisonment as a conditional sentence with 12 months probation.

Jim Goudie, Young’s lawyer, said he’s confident Young won’t make the same mistake ever again. He said she’s even started addictions counselling for gambling and expressed shame, embarrassment and remorse for what she’s done.

He said an absolute discharge would be all the deterrence she would need, but because the offence involved a breach of trust so time in custody and probation would be appropriate.

He felt a four-month conditional sentence would be sufficient.

“She’s never been in trouble before,” Goudie said. “I think it’s safe to say if she didn’t suffer from a gambling addiction, she wouldn’t be in trouble now.”

Before she imposed sentence, Allen-Westby asked Young if she had anything to say to the court.

“Just that I’m sorry,” Young told the Judge.

A tearful Young mostly listened to the proceedings of her sentencing. She occasionally dabbed her eyes with a frayed tissue.

Outside the court room, Young was asked if she had anything to say about the matter.
“Just that I’m going to do what I can to make up for what I did,” Young said quietly. “That’s it.”