Judge: Only ‘a meteor’ will delay ex-police officer’s sentencing

It will take a “meteor hitting Chatham” before another delay is granted in the sentencing of a former police officer convicted of defrauding friends and family of $247,000, the presiding judge said. Ontario Superior Court Justice Scott Campbell had expressed frustration when the sentencing had been adjourned to Tuesday to give ex-Chatham police sergeant Robert Mugridge time to make some restitution.

The repayment was originally planned by April 6, when a court date for sentencing had been set. But court heard was told of issues outside of Mugridge’s control that hindered his ability to repay. Campbell had warned Mugridge he was getting his last break. Back in a Chatham court on Tuesday, the judge was told that Mugridge’s lawyer, Glen Donald, has been named an Ontario Court of Justice judge — creating yet another delay in the ex-cop’s sentencing. Mugridge’s new lawyer, Lucas O’Hara, requested an adjournment to July so he could properly prepare.

It was last August when Mugridge pleaded guilty to a single count of fraud that encompassed several cases of fraud over $5,000 — a delay the judge called “troubling.” The officer was suspended with pay for more than three years, collecting nearly $400,000 in salary before resigning at the beginning of the year. Ontario is the only province where chiefs cannot suspend without pay officers facing serious criminal offences. Campbell granted an adjournment to July 20. The judge said it is difficult to foresee any other circumstance where he would grant another adjournment.