2 weeks Ago By By Michele McDougall
A judge will take more time to decide the fate of a 31-year-old Brandon woman who pled guilty to stealing $48,000 from a west-end community centre. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
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A judge will take more time to decide the fate of a 31-year-old Brandon woman who pled guilty to stealing $48,000 from a west-end community centre. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? A judge will take more time to decide the fate of a 31-year-old Brandon woman who pled guilty to stealing $48,000 from a west-end community centre. Chereese Martin, the former treasurer of the Valleyview Community Centre, admitted stealing the money in a series of 336 e-transfers she made to herself from the community centre account over a period of 22 months beginning in 2022, court documents say.
Martin was scheduled to be sentenced in provincial court on Tuesday afternoon, but defence lawyer Bob Harrison asked Judge Shauna Hewitt-Michta to consider a payment plan for his client to reimburse the community centre. Chereese Martin has pled guilty to stealing $48,000 from Valleyview Community Centre in 2022 and 2023. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun files) Harrison told the judge that Martin had given him a cash deposit of $12,800, and proposed she then pay $600 a month in a time frame of 21 months.
Crown attorney Ron Toews had previously asked the judge to consider a 21-month conditional sentence, or house arrest. Hewitt-Michta said she found herself in a “difficult position” because she was given the information at the last minute, only learning about the defence lawyer’s proposal when she “literally, came into court today.” The judge also told court that after the 21 months, there would still be $23,400 outstanding.
“It would take 39 or 40 more payments at $600 for the restitution to be paid, but even at the maximum level of probation, it wouldn’t cover it. And so one of the things that I had suggested that Ms. Martin look at was a loan, so that the people who were out the money weren’t waiting years to get it back,” said Hewitt-Michta.
“And also because that lines up in terms of precedent where conditional-sentence orders have been imposed for frauds of this value. Often the restitution has been paid in full or close to it,” she said. As Hewitt-Michta adjourned the hearing, she asked the Crown and defence to come up with case law that would suggest a conditional sentence or “real jail” sentence for “frauds in this ballpark.
” Both lawyers must submit their recommendations to the judge before May 12 at 2 p.m., the new date and time she set to impose her sentence.
During Martin’s sentencing hearing on Feb. 14, Toews referred to the police summary against her. In 2022, Martin e-transferred $23,079.
50 in 133 transactions. In 2023, the amount was $25,668.24 through 203 e-transfers.
And while that amount adds up to $48,747.75, Toews told court that Martin was owed approximately $700 for cleaning fees, which led the Crown to agree on a final amount of $48,000. “And $48,000 for that community club is a lot of money,” Toews told court.
“Every two days, she acted on a decision to steal from Valleyview Community Club. “Whatever pangs of conscience she may have had in the first step were well scarred over by the time she got careless and let the account get overdrawn. She did not turn herself in, and I submit this is a significant factor,” Toews said.
“She exploited the trust of the group that was incredibly selfless people that she served with on the board, including one individual who is noted in the victim impact statement, of having covered the shortfalls to pay the hydro bill, unwittingly enabling the thief amongst themselves. “On top of that, she has demonstrated a streak of selfish deceitfulness. She sat with them and presented fictitious financial reports, told them about how the community centre was strapped for funding, not telling them obviously that the reason they were strapped for funding is because she was taking money for herself.
So they were definitely dire circumstances, and they were dire because of her,” said Toews. When defence lawyer Harrison addressed the judge in February, he said Martin was going through a rough period at the time and “bills were piling up.” “I would point out and strongly argue that this wasn’t for a luxurious lifestyle whatsoever,” Harrison told the judge.
“She wasn’t buying expensive gifts, she wasn’t going on expensive holidays, not buying fancy items for the family. It was basically to pay bills. It wasn’t for greed whatsoever.
“She pled guilty very early for serious charges, knowing how serious they were. I think any good person who’s made some bad mistakes here, criminal mistakes, would think that they realize how serious it is,” Harrison said. That same day, Martin was given an opportunity to address the court, and told Judge Hewitt-Michta she was sorry for what she did.
“I know that it was an awful decision, and if I could go back, I would change it. I’m willing to pay back the money. My husband was off work for a very long time, and he’s finally been able to find something that he can do while he waits for his back surgery,” Martin said.
“So, I’m finally able to start paying some money back, and I’m willing to do monthly payments,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. » [email protected] » enviromichele.
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