THUNDER BAY -- An OPP officer accused of fraud received a conditional discharge.
Det.-Const. Rory Thompson, 36, was sentenced on a single count of fraud under $5,000 Monday at the Thunder Bay Courthouse.
In January, Thompson pleaded guilty to using an OPP credit card to purchase gasoline, parts and vehicle servicing between June 2012 and March 2014 for his personal vehicles.
A conditional discharge means Thompson will not have a criminal record despite a finding of guilt as long as he completes the terms of his probation. He must complete 120 hours of community service within 11 months and continue counselling he began after initially being charged in May 2014.
The Crown was seeking a conditional jail sentence to be served in the community, stating Thompson not only defrauded his employer but did so with public money and as a police officer, he held a special position of trust.
The judge said the Crown's theory of greed as motive was not established to her satisfaction and said Thompson was undergoing the stress of a divorce and the mounting stress of the work of a police officer.
This does not excuse his behaviour, but does put it into context, the judge said, adding Thompson's name and reputation has been sullied and he's expressed remorse through his guilty plea.
He has also paid full restitution.
The judge found Thompson's behaviour resulted from human frailty and a combination of pressures that have now been addressed.
Thompson has been suspended with pay since his arrest. His future with the OPP will be the subject of a Police Act hearing, and he will remain suspended with pay until that hearing concludes.
No date has been set for a Police Act hearing.
