A man was sentenced for defrauding a grain handler in the Wilkie area in court Thursday. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

In the courthouse

Man to serve sentence in community, pay restitution for defrauding grain handler

Sep 26, 2019 | 6:10 PM

A man facing charges for defrauding a large grain handler was sentenced in Court of Queen’s Bench Thursday.

David Glassford was handed a conditional sentence of two years less a day to be served in the community, plus three years probation.

He has to pay a total of $275,000. From that amount $120,000 must be paid over five years. He must pay $60,000 of that by Nov. 1.

Glassford previously pleaded guilty to defrauding Viterra Inc. and numerous of its customers of money and grain between June 2010 and January 2014 in the Wilkie area.

He is facing two remaining charges for possession of proceeds of a crime exceeding $5,000 and transfer the possession of proceeds over $5,000 obtained by a crime.

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The Crown will withdraw or stay these remaining charges if he pays $60,000 by Nov. 1.

Justice Gerald Allbright accepted the joint submission recommended by Crown prosecutor Charlotte Morden and defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle.

The court heard Glassford was dealing with debt issues from a gambling addiction at the time of the offence that motivated his actions, which were out of character for him.

Glassford was employed with Viterra Inc. at the time of the offence working directly with producers.

He has no prior criminal record.

Defence attorney Sarah Loewen, who appeared instead of Pfefferle, said the proposal was at the low end of a conditional sentence “to ensure people are paid back for their losses.” She said Glassford wants to pay back the debt.

Justice Allbright said Glassford has dealt with his addiction issues and is receiving counseling.

As part of Glassford’s conditions while he is serving his sentence in the community, he must abide by a curfew and only leave his home to attend work, for a medical appointment or to attend court.

The judge commended the victim in the case for showing wisdom in accepting the restitution proposal.

Following court, Morden said it was a complicated case.

“There was quite a significant volume of disclosure – a lot of witnesses involved, a lot of moving pieces to it,” she said. “There were a number of issues for both the defence and the Crown to work out.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow