- Reaction score
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- Points
- 410
Anyone else would have done time.
Former NDP MP Svend Robinson has received a conditional discharge and one year probation after pleading guilty to stealing an expensive diamond ring from an auction.
Robinson faced a range of penalties from absolute discharge to a maximum of 10 years in prison.
The conditional discharge means Robinson receives no jail time and no criminal record if he meets a series of conditions, which include performing 100 hours of community service.
Robinson's high-profile lawyer, Clayton Ruby, told reporters the former MP regrets the entire affair, which he called "a cry for help."
"Mr. Robinson feels a deep sense of shame and remorse," Ruby told reporters. "And he is grateful that the court's judgment reflects the understanding of the role of the exceptional stress under which he's laboured."
"Mr. Robinson took full responsibility for what he did."
Judge Ronald Fratkin, of B.C. provincial court, agreed that the sentence was appropriate.
"I'm satisfied that what he has gone through is enough. He's fallen a long way and embarrassed himself,'' he said.
Ruby told the court that after Robinson "pocketed" the ring, Robinson's partner, Max Riveron, also called police to report that Robinson was acting strangely, rushing around and working frantically around their home. Riveron told police there was obviously too much pressure on Robinson.
"It's my submission this was indeed a cry for help," Ruby told court. "Mr. Riveron recognized that."
Ruby then read several letters from MPs, friends and other colleagues attesting to Robinson's good character. The letters were from such high-profile as former NDP leader Stephen Lewis, environmentalist David Suzuki, and cabinet minister Stephen Owen.
In court to show their support were Vancouver NDP MP Libby Davies, and Bill Siksay, Robinson's longtime constituency assistant who won Robinson's seat in the June federal election.
The 25-year former member of Parliament tearfully admitted to a new conference back in April that he has pocketed an expensive diamond ring from an auction back in April.
Citing "extreme stress and emotional pain," Robinson said the theft was "an act that was totally inexplicable." He blamed some of the stress on a 1997 hiking accident that left him severely injured.
The auction house had estimated the ring's value at $64,500, but the RCMP obtained a retail evaluation of the ring of $21,500.
After coming forward, Robinson announced he would be seeking medical leave from his job as MP for the suburban Vancouver riding of Burnaby-Douglas and would not be running again.
Robinson is working for the month of August with the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union in its advocacy department, analyzing contracts and presenting cases to arbitrators.
Former NDP MP Svend Robinson has received a conditional discharge and one year probation after pleading guilty to stealing an expensive diamond ring from an auction.
Robinson faced a range of penalties from absolute discharge to a maximum of 10 years in prison.
The conditional discharge means Robinson receives no jail time and no criminal record if he meets a series of conditions, which include performing 100 hours of community service.
Robinson's high-profile lawyer, Clayton Ruby, told reporters the former MP regrets the entire affair, which he called "a cry for help."
"Mr. Robinson feels a deep sense of shame and remorse," Ruby told reporters. "And he is grateful that the court's judgment reflects the understanding of the role of the exceptional stress under which he's laboured."
"Mr. Robinson took full responsibility for what he did."
Judge Ronald Fratkin, of B.C. provincial court, agreed that the sentence was appropriate.
"I'm satisfied that what he has gone through is enough. He's fallen a long way and embarrassed himself,'' he said.
Ruby told the court that after Robinson "pocketed" the ring, Robinson's partner, Max Riveron, also called police to report that Robinson was acting strangely, rushing around and working frantically around their home. Riveron told police there was obviously too much pressure on Robinson.
"It's my submission this was indeed a cry for help," Ruby told court. "Mr. Riveron recognized that."
Ruby then read several letters from MPs, friends and other colleagues attesting to Robinson's good character. The letters were from such high-profile as former NDP leader Stephen Lewis, environmentalist David Suzuki, and cabinet minister Stephen Owen.
In court to show their support were Vancouver NDP MP Libby Davies, and Bill Siksay, Robinson's longtime constituency assistant who won Robinson's seat in the June federal election.
The 25-year former member of Parliament tearfully admitted to a new conference back in April that he has pocketed an expensive diamond ring from an auction back in April.
Citing "extreme stress and emotional pain," Robinson said the theft was "an act that was totally inexplicable." He blamed some of the stress on a 1997 hiking accident that left him severely injured.
The auction house had estimated the ring's value at $64,500, but the RCMP obtained a retail evaluation of the ring of $21,500.
After coming forward, Robinson announced he would be seeking medical leave from his job as MP for the suburban Vancouver riding of Burnaby-Douglas and would not be running again.
Robinson is working for the month of August with the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union in its advocacy department, analyzing contracts and presenting cases to arbitrators.
