Eye for an eye

Daniel Alexander Stewart fined after using credit card belonging to man he thought defrauded golf course

A P.E.I. man who said he took it upon himself to get back at someone he thought defrauded the golf course where he was a member was fined $500 for using a credit card that didn’t belong to him.

Daniel Alexander Stewart, 33, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown where he pleaded guilty to fraud.

Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald told the court a New Brunswick man was golfing at Belfast Highland Greens on July 31 when he realized he lost his wallet.

The man called to cancel his credit card but was told someone had already used it three times for a total of $154.52.

MacDonald said the police showed golf course staff still shots of the culprit caught on security video at one of the locations where he used the card.

Stewart was a member at the course and the staff recognized him as the man in the video, MacDonald said.

Before hearing his sentence, Stewart rose to address the court to apologize to the victim and to give an explanation for his actions.

Stewart said he saw the victim golfing that day with a woman who didn’t pay a green fee or have her own set of clubs to use.

The victim should have known what was expected at a golf course, Stewart said.

“I guess I took it personally being a member there.”

Stewart said he found the wallet and immediately had a guilty conscience after using the card.

“By that time, it was too late,” he said.

Since the incident, he lost his job and has been selling all of his golf equipment and balls he finds to pay expenses, Stewart said.

Along with the fine, Stewart must also pay a $150 victim surcharge.