Man jailed for stealing more than $9,700 from UPEI student union

Michael Andrew Scott sentenced to 15 months for theft and other charges

A man who stole more than $9,700 from the UPEI student union is heading to jail after a judge sentenced him Tuesday to serve 15 months.

Michael Andrew Scott, 43, appeared before provincial court Chief Judge John Douglas in Charlottetown for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to the theft, failing to attend court and breaching his probation.

Scott was dating Nicole Lee Gallant in 2013 when she worked as the manager at the UPEI campus bar.

The student union issued Gallant a Visa credit card so she could buy liquor and Scott used it 21 times over a span of two months to withdraw cash leaving the student union out $9,721.61, including interest and fees.

Crown attorney John McMillan said the theft had a devastating impact on the student union.

“It put the student union in a state of chaos,” he said.

Insurance covered the theft, although the student union had a $1,000 deductible.

As McMillan read the facts in the case, he flipped through Scott’s criminal record, counting four pages as he said its length was an aggravating factor.

Scott was supposed to appear in court in January to answer to the charges, but didn’t because he was in Alberta working.

Before Douglas handed down a sentence, Scott addressed the court to apologize and said he had a relapse with his drug addiction. Scott cried and struggled to speak, pausing several times as he said he has been a terrible father, son and boyfriend.

“I just want to man up and straighten my life out,” he said.

Douglas said it was a fairly simple case with Scott starting to use drugs when he was 14.

“Unless you enjoy jail and prison, drug use has ruined your life to date,” Douglas said.

He also said the courts deal continually with people addicted to drugs and he wasn’t in a position to tell Scott to “smarten up. It’s not easy but nobody can do it but you.”

Douglas sentenced Scott to one year in jail for the theft, one month for missing court and two months for breaching his probation, all to be served consecutively. Scott will be on probation for two years after his release.

Douglas also ordered Scott to pay $8,7921.61 in restitution to the student union’s insurance company and $1,000 to the student union.

Gallant is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 17 for sentencing for her role in the thefts.