(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
September 13, 2013 - 12:16 PM
KAMLOOPS - A 60-year-old woman has been banned from every casino in the province after pleading guilty today to theft under $5,000.
Loreta Debonis pleaded guilty to two counts of theft under $5,000 today in Kamloops provincial court for two unrelated incidents.
Provincial court judge Stella Frame called her crimes a 'tragedy' at her age because of previous convictions of thefts throughout the province in her history.
The retired Penticton woman was playing the slots at a Kamloops casino while in town visiting family when she was caught on camera stealing another gambler's wallet that contained $200 cash.
Her partner of 16 years, Earnest Power, also faces charges in relation to the matter dating back to Aug. 1, 2012.
That theft came before another incident on Dec. 4, 2012 in Kamloops when Debonis was caught shoplifting two pair of pants from the Real Canadian Superstore.
Defence lawyer Murray Armstrong said Debonis has alcohol problems and lives on a limited income.
"I regret what happened, and I'm certainly sorry," Debonis said. "It won't happen again."
Frame accepted a joint submission of 12 months probation, however made one amendment.
"You may not attend any casino in the province of British Columbia," she said.
To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca, call: (250) 319-7494 or tweet: @jess__wallace.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013