Man gets ‘lenient’ term for defrauding senior

A man who defrauded an elderly Regina woman of $37,300 in 2011 will spend the next year-and-ahalf on a conditional sentence and must repay a portion of the sum to her estate.

Joseph Victor Desnomie was sentenced in provincial court on Thursday and is required to repay $3,400 to Jean Whitmore’s estate. The woman died last July. Desnomie and his co-accused, his common-law spouse Cindy Lee Lacheur, met the 80-year-old Whitmore as they knocked on doors looking for odd jobs.

“She was lonely and trusting and they preyed upon that,” said Mitch Miller, representing the Crown.

Whitmore loaned the couple $37,300 over eight months as they made up reasons — including medical expenses — for needing the cash.

In reality, they fed a gambling addiction. They were charged with fraud in January 2012.

Self-represented in court, Desnomie pleaded guilty and said he regretted his actions.

“I do have remorse,” said Desnomie, a 39-year-old father of nine. “I wish I had better judgment at the time.”

In custody since being arrested on May 20, Desnomie said he has reflected on the value of his life.

“I believe to be a changed person from the person I was when I committed the crime,” said Desnomie.

Likewise, Marion Desjarlais believes Desnomie is a changed man. She was in court to see the verdict.

Desjarlais met Desnomie five years ago, the same way Whitmore did: He knocked on her door offering to do odd jobs.

He’s been “reliable” and “dependable,” raking leaves and cleaning the eaves of her Cathedral-area house.

At times, she’ll come home in the

I believe to be a changed person from the person I was when I committed the crime.

winter to a shovelled driveway and know that “Joe” has been by.

“How that man and the person who did that crime, how they’re the same I don’t know,” said Desjarlais.

She said she is happy to help him pay Whitmore back.

“I’m at that age now just about and I have a small savings and I don’t know where the heck I’d be if that was ever gone,” said Desjarlais.

Like Lacheur, who was sentenced on Oct. 12, 2016, Desnomie received an 18-month conditional sentence.

For 12 months, he will be bound by a curfew of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. He will be unable to possess or consume alcohol or drugs; he will have to avoid bars and liquor stores; he must obtain counselling for his gambling addiction; and he must report to a supervisor, among other conditions.

Desnomie must repay $3,400 to Whitmore’s estate by February 2019, in 17 $200 increments. His standalone restitution order to repay an additional $15,200 has no deadline.

Justice Barbara Tomkins called this “a very unfortunate offence.”

She asked whether Desnomie has a grandmother and how he would feel if someone committed this crime against her.

“I hope you understand that this is a lenient sentence,” said Tomkins.

Miller also alluded to Desnomie’s “long history of property offences,” which included theft of $75.50 in miscellaneous items from a Dollarama store on Dec. 26, 2011.