COUNTY - A judge's unavailability has kept a Mill Cove man out of jail, at least until after Christmas.

 The Crown has said it will be looking for time in the case of 35-year-old Jeffrey Wayne Fraser, who was convicted on charges of theft and breaching probation back in June.

 Mr. Fraser was first scheduled for sentencing in August, but asked for time to find a lawyer. He then returned to court in September, when defence counsel asked for time to familiarize himself with the case.

 The charges were back on the Bridgewater court docket November 5, but Judge Anne Crawford, who heard the trial, was not available and apparently won't be until the new year.

 Judge Jim Burrill adjourned the case until January 14, but warned defence lawyer Jim DiPersio that it may have to be rescheduled again if Judge Crawford is not yet available.

 Mr. Fraser was convicted of stealing from Online Courier while working in Bridgewater between November 6 and 19 of last year. He was on probation at the time, stemming from his June 2007 sentencing on 19 charges.

 Those included multiple counts of false pretenses, fraud, and break and enter between November 2005 and July 2006. Many of the crimes related to several businesses Mr. Fraser operated, when he would help himself to cheques and cash while cleaning offices.

 Mr. Fraser is appealing his latest conviction involving Online Courier. That's scheduled to be before the Supreme Court on November 20.

posted on 11/18/08