A Princeton man who was caught on tape hauling nine bags of cash from his employer’s safe was sentenced Thursday to 90 days in jail.
Damien Carleton pleaded guilty to theft over $5,000. He will be permitted to serve his sentence on weekends, and was ordered to makerestitution. He also faces 18-months probation with numerous conditions.
Court heard that on April 6, 2015 Carleton was working at the Husky gas station on Highway 3. The theft occurred at night, whileCarleton was cleaning the variety store.
Crown counsel Andrew Vandersluys said the store’s surveillance camera “clearly showed” that Carleton cleaned out the safe. “Mr. Carletonadmitted at the time that he took the money. He was not in his right mind. He said he was confused by his pay and was not paid for histraining period….He was upset and he took opportunity of the cash.”
Carleton made away with $5,871.50 in cash, the court was told, as well as some merchandise from the store. He paid back $1,600 to hisemployer, and the store’s insurance covered another $1,663.30 of the loss after a $2,500 deductible.
Carleton must pay the insurer its cost in the incident, and pay $2,608.20 to Husky, owned by Maple Leaf First Enterprises. NotingCarleton’s pre-sentence report indicated “he appears to be making excuses for his behavior rather than taking responsibility” the crownasked for a six-month jail sentence.
Justice Gale Sinclair told Carleton “the fact that you don’t have a criminal record saves you from straight jail time.”
Under conditions of his probation, Carleton is prohibited from accepting employment that would require him to handle cash.