Nick Cvetas pleaded guilty to theft over $5,000, having stolen $317,000 from his 81-year-old godmother, Nevenka Cemas, between 2015 and 2016.
The theft involved a significant breach of trust, as Cvetas was her joint account holder, Power of Attorney, and executor.
The Crown sought 12 months imprisonment, while the defence sought a 6-month conditional sentence.
The court considered aggravating factors (breach of trust, vulnerability of victim, planned nature of offence, repeated lies) and mitigating factors (guilty plea, prior good character, community support, full restitution).
The court emphasized denunciation and general deterrence, rejecting a conditional sentence despite restitution.
Cvetas was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, followed by two years probation with a no-contact condition, and a five-year prohibition from having authority over others' money/property, with exceptions for supervised employment or immediate family.