CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A P.E.I. man who spent more than $1,000 using stolen credit and debit cards at multiple businesses was sentenced Thursday to 102 days in jail on 11 charges.
Jeffery Colin Gallant, 42, appeared before Judge John Douglas in provincial court in Charlottetown where he pleaded guilty to charges that included multiple counts related to the use of credit cards he knew were stolen.
Other charges included thefts, damaging property and breaching his probation.
Crown attorney John Diamond told the court that over several days, Gallant used stolen credit or debit cards at various businesses.
Those businesses included a liquor store, a lotto booth, Home Hardware, a pharmacy, a Needs convenience store and a Sobeys Express.
The court heard that in one case, Gallant broke a window in a parked vehicle and stole a wallet that had $320 in cash in it along with a debit card he later used.
All of the transactions were small enough to allow Gallant to use the tap features on the cards without entering PINs.
In total, Gallant spent $1,141.61 using the stolen cards.
Gallant also stole a chop saw from the Charlottetown Islanders at the Eastlink Centre where he was caught on video concealing it under his coat as he walked by a dressing room.
He sold the saw, which was worth $125, to a Most Wanted pawn shop for $25.
Defence lawyer Thane MacEachern told the court Gallant indicated he was doing fine until around the end of November when he started drinking heavily.
Gallant has been struggling to stay sober and employed and is looking at moving out West after his release, MacEachern said.
Douglas gave Gallant credit of 24 days for time spent in custody since his arrest.
Gallant will be on probation for two years after his release.
Douglas ordered Gallant to pay a total of $1,717.61 in restitution, which included the cost of replacing the stolen saw and repairing the broken vehicle window.
Before Gallant left the courtroom, Douglas addressed him to say he committed quite a string of offences.
“Mr. Gallant, get your drinking problem under control, if you can,” Douglas said.
