Former Canadian Bingo Hall Manager Arrested for Theft
31st October, 2007
Yesterday morning, Terry Joan Aikens, 58, of Edmonton, Alberta, was put under house arrest after admitting to stealing $14,000 from her former place of employment. Aikens worked as the manager of the Kensington Bingo Centre, a bingo hall whose earnings are always donated to charity. Aikens, however, took that to mean her.
Between 1 December, 2006 and 25 May 2006, Aikens stole money from the hall’s concession account in various amounts which eventually totalled $14,000. Aikens was caught by an auditor from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission this May.
Geoff Green, Aikens’ defence lawyer explained to the court that Aikens was depressed in the past year, after losing her husband of 36 years to cancer, and dealing with her 30-year-old alcoholic son. He argued she used the stolen money to gamble, but always paid it back.
Aikens has been sentenced to 6 months of house arrest, followed by 6 months of house arrest from 22:00 to 6:00. She also must complete 60 hours of community service.
