Cheque writer escapes jail term

A man who cashed bogus cheques written to himself from an account held by a not-forprofit organization will not go to jail.

Michael J. Peters was sentenced in a Penticton courtroom, Friday, to six months’ house arrest. He must also pay $3,840 in restitution to the Summerland Exhibition Society.

The court was told in June 2014 he cashed four cheques without consent from the Summerland Fall Fair in the amounts of $980, $1,200, $860 and $800.

Peters was not associated with the fair and reportedly obtained a cheque book that was stolen from the glove box of one of the

Michael J. Peters found guilty of cashing cheques from account belonging to Summerland Fall Fair

volunteers.

In his sentencing, Judge Gail Sinclair took into consideration Peters' previous criminal record which includes property offences and robbery. The judge acknowledged that "he's not a threat to society."

Peters, supported in court by his commonlaw spouse, said he's presently off work from his job as a red-seal ticketed painter due to back pain and he will require surgery. Following surgery he will need between three to four months of rehabilitation. Incarceration would make it nearly impossible to receive the required treatment, Peters told the court.

"I take full responsibility, it's negligence on my part," he said of his actions.

Peters must remain in his residence for the next six months except for medical appointments and when approved by his conditional sentence supervisor. He may also have no association with the Money Mart store in Penticton, where he set up an account and cashed one of the cheques.

The Summerland Fall Fair folded after more than 100 years in 2014 due to a lack of volunteers. The exhibition society is still operational.