A man who used counterfeit money at numerous businesses in North Vancouver has received a one-year suspended sentence and probation.
Robin Ritesh Nath has been accused of nine counts of using counterfeit US$100 bills in a mall area of the North Shore city in June and July of 2019. Those counts were collapsed into one. Another count involving an alleged Richmond incident was stayed.
Crown prosecutor Louisa Winn told Judge Ellen Gordon that Nath had purchased miscellaneous items from the business with the bogus bills.
Winn said police managed to get closed-circuit video of the offences and saw that Nath was dressed the same way in each video — one identifying factor being a large recognizable, homemade cross.
Winn said Nath has schizophrenia stemming from crystal methamphetamine addiction issues that he has received assistance with.
“Crown long ago recommended treatment for Mr. Nath but he turned it down,” Winn said.
Defence lawyer David Fai said drug use contributed to the offences.
Asked if he had anything to say, Nath said. “This case is actually really old. I think it should be dropped.”
The judge responded, saying she was happy to hear Nath was no longer homeless.
“I think that’s absolutely wonderful,” Gordon said.
Elhamy Assuity was a co-accused in the case.
