Sentencing arguments heard for contractor guilty of fraud

Defence and prosecution argued at Medicine Hat’s Court of Queen’s Bench on Friday about sentencing for a contractor who collected nearly $80,000 in deposits for work never done.

Christopher John Wright, appearing in person, had pled guilty May 15 to 11 charges under the provincial Fair Trading Act and one count of fraud over $5,000.

The Crown had prepared several victim impact statements, portions of which were read aloud by prosecutor Doyle Conor.

The only complainant in attendance was Patricia Goodall, who paid Wright $23,000 between September and October 2013 to install a four-season enclosure never completed, nor refunded, resulting in the fraud charge.

In her victim impact statement, Goodall said that as a result of her interaction with Wright, she cannot purchase extra medication, get chiropractor treatment or go on vacation.

She also said their exchange has contributed to a lack of trust when meeting new people.

“He has changed me in how I feel about people,” Conor read in court.

Wright laid his head down and appeared to be crying during the reading of the victim impact statements. He periodically looked back at Goodall throughout the proceedings.

For the 11 counts Wright pled guilty to under the Fair Trading Act, Conor requested 90 days imprisonment — 30 days for each of the three groups of complainants.

Conor asked for an additional nine months imprisonment for the fraud charge.

“I’m suggesting the total sentence be in the vicinity of 12 months,” he said.

Defence lawyer Ben Plumer said the charges stem from carelessness, not malice.

“The fraud count is about putting Ms. Goodall’s money at risk, rather than a nefarious scheme,” said Plumer.

“Take into consideration that (Wright) has a track record of paying people back,” he added. “That is his intention.”

Plumer requested a suspended sentence of 18 months probation and restitution of $1,000 per month until the total is repaid.

Wright spoke at length when given the opportunity to do so by the court.

“I’m absolutely, completely overwhelmed,” he said. “There is considerably a lot that minimizes who I am sitting here today.”

“I always cared about each individual client,” Wright said, adding that he wished he could rebut every point made by the Crown.

“This gal here, that was her hard-earned money,” he said referring to Goodall. “She didn’t deserve to be put in that situation.”

Judge R.A. Jerke reserved his decision for an oral argument to be heard Sept. 14 at 3 p.m.