A St. Albert gas station employee will serve the next six months under house arrest, followed by another six months with a curfew, after she pleaded guilty to stealing cash and products from the store.
Paula Tanya Elliott, 32, was fired from the Esso store at 1 Giroux Road after the manager of the store witnessed a series of thefts caught on video surveillance. Elliott worked at the establishment for roughly one year.
Crown prosecutor John Donahoe told the court that between Jan. 16 and 27, Elliott was seen on camera stealing money, cigarettes, cigars and various consumable items.
When the thefts were first reported to St. Albert RCMP on Feb. 2, Elliott told police she was simply collecting her tips in a lump sum from the till, Donahoe said.
Upon further inspection, police determined a total of 56 incidents of stealing of at least $160 in cash, 16 packages of cigars and cigarettes and various other retail items. The value of these items is estimated at upwards of $900.
“This was obviously a carefully thought-out plan,” said Judge Bruce Garriock.
Defence lawyer Farrel Shadlyn said Elliott’s last paycheque from the gas station – estimated at roughly $900 – was withheld by the employer.
“I know what I did was very wrong,” Elliott said through tears. “I just want to continue on with my life caring for my children. I’m just trying to do the best I can.”
In addition to the conditional sentence, she was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service, take counseling as directed by a probation officer and to not attend the Esso location.
While under house arrest, she is permitted to leave her home for work, school, court, medical appointments and four hours a week for shopping for the necessities of life. She is required to remain in her home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following six months.
Elliott has since found a new job.
