SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Paulette Pokonzie has had a hard life, yet she always found time to help others out in the community.
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On Jan. 8, Pokonzie, 51, while working as a caller selling tickets for a draw in support of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Society, stole $4,785 from the
charity.
She was charged with theft under $5,000 two days later, after a short police investigation.
Defense lawyer John Saftic presented the argument in court Tuesday that Pokonzie had lived a trying life and wasnÂ?t a hardened criminal, just a woman down on her luck and out of places to turn.
Pokonzie currently resides at the Elizabeth Fry Society, which give her a bed to sleep in at night and $15 for food per day. She has no income, and is estranged from her husband of almost 30 years.
Saftic asked the court to impose a brief conditional sentence to be served in the community.
The Crown wasnÂ?t as soft.
Â?She made a decision she didnÂ?t have to make,Â? said assistant Crown attorney Fran Howe.
Howe argued even though Pokonzie had lived a difficult life, she shouldnÂ?t be immune from punishment.
Justice Guy Mahaffy heard all the arguments before handing down a nine-month conditional sentence.
Pokonzie will have to observe numerous conditions, including reporting to a probation officer and accepting any counselling as recommended by her probation officer.
Mahaffy also imposed an 18-month probation order following the conditional sentence.
Howe asked for an additional community service sentence, but Mahaffy quickly disagreed.
Â?No,Â? said Mahaffy. Â?This lady has enough garbage to carry around.Â?
Court heard Pokonzie was involved in a difficult marriage and spent most of the almost three decades she was married without a lot of money or material possessions.
Her lawyer said, while itÂ?s not an excuse, Pokonzie made some stupid decisions because this was the first time in her life she had access to this kind
of money.
