A former Windsor Airport employee has been sentenced to 60 days in jail for stealing money.
Jamie Grabijas, 56, pleaded guilty to theft over $5,000 in the Ontario Court of Justice on Thursday.
The court heard Grabijas, who worked in the airport's finance department, began taking money from the airport's coin parking meters and cafe, expecting to pay it back but it spiralled out of control.
Her husband was sick, had his leg amputated and she was getting behind on household bills and medical bills.
Her defence lawyer Elizabeth Craig says Grabijas has sold her house and paid back $64,000.
"She has sold her house, gave up RRSPs and has lost everything," said Craig to Justice Lloyd Dean.
Police claimed $220,000 was missing.
Outside the courthouse, Craig says the sentence has to send a message.
"Dealing with specific and general deterrence, it was a breach of trust and a theft from her employer," she says. "The court has to let the people know that that is unacceptable behaviour."
Before being sentenced, Grabijas said; "I express my extreme apologies to the airport. I will never do this again."
Grabijas hugged her lawyer and her husband of 32-years, who was seated in the court, and was led out of the courtroom to begin serving her sentence.
Justice Dean told Grabijas that "it breaks my heart to send you, a 56-year-old woman, to jail."
Insurance has covered the financial loss at the airport.
Grabijas's lawyer Elizabeth Craig talks about the 60-day jail sentence handed to the former airport employee. pic.twitter.com/tdFd7ojDMy
— Teresinha Medeiros (@tmedeiros800) September 21, 2017