NS - “NS woman addicted to VLTs gets twoyear sentence for theft and fraud”
NS woman addicted to VLTs gets twoyear sentence for theft and fraud
By The Canadian Press, Last updated at 4:31 PM on 22/03/07
TRURO, N.S. (CP) - A woman who is addicted to gambling on video lottery terminals has been sentenced to two years in jail for stealing from her employers.
Court heard that Debbie Rushton stole more than $230,000 from T. A. Orthodontics and Donford Enterprises of Truro.
The 45-year-old woman from nearby Debert pleaded guilty to theft and fraud charges in January.
During her sentencing hearing Thursday, the Crown and the defence detailed Rushton’s addiction to VLTs.
Court was told Rushton stole the money over a seven-year period.
Judge John MacDougall initially imposed an 18-month sentence in a provincial jail, but increased the sentence at Rushton’s request because she wants access to rehabilitation services available at federal prisons.
