A 26-year-old Yorkton man who embezzled $71,000 from a local community sports organization then paid it back has received an 18-month suspended sentence.
Colton Griffith was treasurer of the Yorkton United Football Club in 2014 when he started pilfering cash to feed drug and gambling habits, the Yorkton Court heard November 7.
Griffith pleaded guilty to one count of theft over $5,000 and the Crown issued a stay of proceedings on a second charge of possession of property obtained by crime.
In a joint submission, prosecutor Todd Wellsch recommended the 18 months suspended sentence with conditions including: observing an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for the first six months; living at an approved address; not consuming or possessing alcohol or drugs; participating in assessment and treatment for addictions; and receiving personal counselling.
As mitigating circumstances Wellsch noted the defendant had no prior criminal record, had readily admitted responsibility and that the club was favourable to the sentencing recommendation. Griffith had also already appeared before the club’s board and apologized, the prosecutor said.
Judge Patrick Reis told counsel he was not going to have a problem accepting the joint submission, but defence attorney Jenna Niedzielski reiterated the mitigating circumstances adding also that her client has held down steady employment for seven years, has the ongoing support of his family and had started making restitution even before he was charged.
Griffith also addressed the Court saying he was sorry to his family and to the community.
In passing sentence Reis paraphrased an old adage. “It’s not how a man falls, it’s how he gets up,” the judge said, noting that, so far, the accused was doing a good job of getting up. Nevertheless, he warned Griffith if he breached any of the conditions of his probation, it would mean trouble.
“I‘m hoping this is a one-off and we’ll never see you again,” Reis concluded.
