Last spring a man attempted to withdraw money from other people’s accounts in financial institutions throughout Central Alberta. Last Friday, June 15, he was sentenced to a 12-month conditional sentence order.
Andrew Nick appeared in provincial court in Drumheller. He was facing a long list of charges including fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents, obtained by false pretense and possessing another person’s identity. He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraudulently impersonating another person.
On June 2 of 2017, Nick went to three TD Canada Trust branches in Three Hills, Stettler and Hanna. Using another person’s name, he attempted to withdraw funds. In each case the staff at the financial institutions became suspicious and he was ultimately unsuccessful.
On June 28, 2017, He attended a financial institution in Claresholm and made a similar attempt using a different identity. This too was unsuccessful. He was identified through security video surveillance.
Defense for Nick said these incidents happened at a time when his client was battling addiction. Shortly after the Claresholm incident, the former air traffic controller checked himself into a treatment center.
Mr. Nick obtained employment in Victoria and moved from Alberta. It was when he was obtaining a criminal background check for his employment that he learned he had warrants. He was arrested and served 14 days in custody prior to this court appearance.
The Crown and defense jointly recommended a conditional sentence order for 12 months, followed by 24 months of probation. During this time he is to abide by a curfew and perform 100 hours of community service.
Judge Grieve agreed with the joint submission.