A 35-year-old woman who stole $8,000 from the ambulance service she was supervising in Mayo has been granted a discharge, plus one year of probation and 80 hours of community service.

Territorial court Judge Michael Cozens called the breach-of-trust theft one of the “rare and exceptional” cases in which a discharge is appropriate.

“Ms. (Teresa Karen) Samson is clearly remorseful for her actions in committing this offence and acknowledges that it will take a lot to rebuild the trust of others,” Cozens wrote in the July 8 decision.

Samson began working for the Mayo Emergency Medical Service Ambulance Service in 2008.

Each year, the government deposited $2,000 into a chequing account for the service – intended for purchasing ambulance equipment and supplies.

When, two years later, Samson began working as a supervisor for the service, she arranged for a debit card to be issued for the account in her name.

Between February 2011 and September 2012, Samson made more than 50 transactions using the card. Eight were legitimate.

The rest, totalling $8,380.78, were used for personal reasons – fuel purchases from Fort Nelson, B.C., and Dawson City, hotel stays in Whitehorse, car insurance and several purchases at retail, service and fast-food outlets.

In the fall of 2012, Samson was asked to resign from her post due to performance issues.

She continued to work for the service, but the chair soon learned of the debit card and the financial irregularities. She was then fired.

Days later, she emailed the chair and admitted what she’d done. She has since paid back all of the money.

The Crown sought a six-month jail sentence.

Cozens noted the breach of trust, the fact the thefts happened multiple times and the amount of money stolen were aggravating factors.

However, he said Samson had taken responsibility for what happened and repaid the money.

A mother of two and a member of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, Samson also has no prior criminal record.

Since the offence, she has been diagnosed with depression, which she believes she has had her whole life, the decision states. In the past, she used drugs to cope with her feelings of sadness, though she has not used illegal drugs in 18 months.

She attends mental health and counselling sessions regularly.

She currently works full-time for the housing and wellness departments of the First Nation.

Samson has also completed certificate programs at Yukon College and is currently enrolled in the First Nations governance program.

Her parole supervision report states that she would like to run for a position on her First Nation’s council, which Cozens said was “legitimate.”

However, she will need to obtain a pardon if she decides to take that route – as per the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun Elections Act, a candidate must have no criminal record for an indictable offence.

Cozens also mentioned the shame Samson will face returning to the community.

“Having to face her small community every day having committed this offence is not an easy task,” he wrote.

“She wears her offence every day before her community. Choosing to do so and to still continue to contribute to her community sends a strong message as well. In this way.”

As part of her one-year probation, Samson must keep the peace, appear before court when required to do so, notify her probation officer of any change in name, address or employment and participate in all counselling for substance abuse and psychological issues as directed by her probation officer.

She must also complete 80 hours of community service in the next 10 months.