A man who pleaded guilty to multiple assault, theft and fraud offences across Metro Vancouver has received a six-month conditional sentence and probation.
On Nov. 28, Greg Alfred Woolmer appeared by video from Surrey Pretrial Centre before Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Patrick Doherty.
The 62-year-old former bodybuilder told the judge he was ashamed of his behaviour. The court heard he's willing to change and wants to be a good father to his 32-month-old son.
“I’m ashamed and sorry for these negative decisions I have made,” Woolmer said.
“Mr. Woolmer is a conman and I really don’t believe anything he says. But the only way we can find out if he is truly sorry about these things is to see how he does when he was released.” said Doherty.
Woolmer has been in jail for 75 days, which is credited at 113 days. The judge sentenced him to one day in jail. The court heard that was covered by his court appearance and he was to be released later Monday.
The offences
The court heard that a Vancouver storage container had been broken into. One of the items that went missing was a chequebook.
Woolmer pleaded guilty to passing two fraudulent cheques in September 2019 from that account; the amounts were for $7,500 and $14,000 in exchange for jewelry and a vehicle at a Vancouver business.
Then, he told a person at a gym he had lost his wallet and got $200. Then, he got $4,600 from the person after passing a cheque from the same account.
When the man later tried to cash another cheque from Woolmer for $2,700, he found the account had been frozen. A similar situation occurred with someone he met outside a nightclub.
On Jan. 28, Woolmer stole a $300 kettle from a Burnaby London Drugs and was caught by store security.
On Jan. 30, Woolmer headed for the door of a Coquitlam Walmart with a cart full of appliances.
He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a cab driver who had driven him from Surrey to Langley. He had asked the driver to wait for him and gave him $20. The driver wanted the full fare. Woolmer then punched the driver in the face, the court heard.
On Aug. 2, Woolmer took an air conditioner and a power washer from a Walmart in New Westminster. He attempted to make his getaway on a transit bus and was arrested onboard.
On Sept. 14, Woolmer made off with $1,000 worth of baby formula. He was arrested after store security called police.
The judge heard Woolmer has a history of similar offences.
“He’s been out of control,” said defence lawyer Leo Fumano. “He’s had time to reflect on things.”
Fumano said Woolmer developed problems with steroid use.
“Steroid abuse is not just a physical thing,” Fumano said. “It starts to alter your mind. He has a history of trying to rip people off. That has to stop.”
Woolmer kept interrupting Doherty during the sentencing.
"Sir, will you please be quiet," the judge eventually said.
