A Chatham man has been found guilty of tax fraud for willfully applying for and receiving child tax benefits.
Michael Hulme will be sentenced on April 28 at Chatham court.
Justice Lucy Glenn told the court on Monday morning “it’s beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused [Hulme] claimed the benefits.” Hulme was accused of claiming more than $82,000 in child tax benefits in 2014 and 2015 for 43 bogus children.
Prosecutor Paul Bailey is looking for a lengthy sentence but is keeping it to himself because he wants Justice Glenn to hear it firsthand when he makes his final submission April 28.
Defence lawyer Ken Marley said he is not surprised by the outcome.
"I listened to her honour's reasons for judgement and they were compelling. It was a strong case for the Crown and I'm not surprised by the verdict," said Marley.
Marley doesn't believe Hulme will get lucky enough to stay out of jail.
"It'll be difficult for her honour not to exceed to what the Crown wants, which is a lengthy jail sentence. I'm not sure specifically but I know it's a sentence that is measured in months, not in days," Marley added.
Justice Glenn had her doubts about testimony given by Hulme's ex-wife, who denied any involvement in the tax fraud. However, Glenn found the prosecution's evidence strong enough to find Hulme guilty.