A 38-year-old Harlem Heights woman was lucky not to have landed in jail after admitting her part in stealing bus tickets from the Public Transportation Board (PTB) in Magistrates? Court yesterda.

Acting Magistrate Tyrone Chin imposed a $750 fine on Michelle Diane Outerbridge-Smith for her involvement in the theft which saw $20,000 worth of bus tickets stolen from an office safe between March and April of this year.

Outerbridge-Smith was represented by lawyer Larry Scott who told the court she was sorry for her actions and the embarrassment she caused her family.

Crown counsel Anthony told the court that he was not seeking a custodial sentence because she was very helpful during the Police investigation.

She returned the tickets she had received as well as $2,000 she gained from selling them. She also provided Police with information that helped them in their investigation.

Mr. Scott told the court that accepting the tickets was a very weak moment for his client and she was sorry that she was so easily swayed.

Outerbridge-Smith is also willing to be a witness in the July 13 trial of PTB employee Sandra Wade, who pleaded not guilty to stealing and receiving $20,000 worth of bus tickets.

While both the Crown and defence recommended a non custodial sentence and leniency because Outerbridge-Smith had been so co-operative Mr. Chin was hesitant.

He said people often got lenient sentences because of their willingness to participate in another Crown case but then failed to show up or were reluctant witnesses.

He said that he would order a social inquiry report and that Outerbridge-Smith would be sentenced after Wade?s trial, but Mr. Blackman objected to this decision.

He was concerned that it would look as if the Director of Public Prosecutions had made promises to Outerbridge-Smith.

He recommended that Outerbridge-Smith receive a less lenient sentence which Mr. Scott could appeal after her participation in the upcoming trial. Mr. Chin considered both lawyers? applications and decided to forego the 12-month jail time and choose to deliver a fine.

He could have fined Outerbridge-Smith $1,000 but chose not to inflict the heaviest punishment because of her co-operative nature.

He felt Outerbridge-Smith had been adequately punished even though he was lenient: ?I hope this is a lesson to you and all people in a position of trust. This is not a carte blanche that you will just receive a fine. It?s theft. You have a conviction of dishonesty which means it will be hard to find a position involving other people?s money. It might take you years to earn the trust back. You shot yourself in the foot.?