CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A 20-year-old woman who was involved in a stolen cheque cashing scheme was sentenced recently to 31 days in jail.
Chelsey Lee Bernard appeared before Judge John Douglas in provincial court in Charlottetown where she pleaded guilty to fraud and failing to attend court.
Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald told the court that Bernard and another man had a chequebook that Bernard’s father reported stolen.
Bernard and the other man asked someone to deposit a cheque and withdraw cash for them, which he did.
The person who cashed the cheque kept some money and gave $530 to Bernard’s co-accused.
MacDonald said Bernard admitted her involvement in the fraud to the police.
Bernard also failed to appear in court on Nov. 28 and remained in custody after her arrest on Dec. 26.
Defence lawyer Alex Dalton told the court Bernard was struggling with alcohol and drug addictions and had been couch surfing at the time of the offences.
Bernard addressed the court before hearing her sentence and said she was sorry for everything that had happened.
Douglas gave Bernard credit of 31 days for time spent in custody since her arrest leaving her with nothing left on her sentence.
Bernard will be on probation for one year and must pay $530 in restitution.
