Brampton resident banned from casino following theft conviction

A judge has put the brakes on a driving instructor’s future plans to visit a Niagara Falls casino after he was convicted of swiping $4,000 in rings from a jewelry store at the gaming hall.

Fareed Khan, 55, pleaded guilty Thursday in an Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to a charge of theft under $5,000.

In addition to a four-month conditional sentence, the Brampton resident was banned from attending Fallsview Casino Resort for 16 months.

“I heard no submissions about whether this was connected to a gambling issue, as you were found in the casino afterward, so I’m not sure what was motivating you to steal these valuable rings, but you need to find another way to get the resources you need,” Judge Deborah Calderwood told the defendant.

“The owners of these jewelry stores are vulnerable by the nature of the value of the property they keep,” she added. “They’re trying to run a business, just like you’re trying to earn a living.”

Court was told the defendant was at a jewelry store at the casino in February 2020 and asked an employee to see rings inside a locked display case.

While the clerk was distracted, he grabbed eight rings and fled the area.

He was later confronted on the gaming floor and the rings were recovered.

The defendant has a previous conviction for theft under $5,000.

His lawyer said his client works as a driving instructor and that “money is really tight” as client numbers have dropped dramatically in recent months.