Cochrane swindler apologizes for wasting court time, not victims

Scott Brooks stood in Calgary Court of King's Bench Thursday and apologized — but not to the victims he swindled.

The Cochrane con artist, who pleaded guilty in March to 17 charges related to fraud spanning January 2010 to May 2018, told Justice Robert Armstrong he was sorry for wasting the court's time by dragging out his trial for a year.

"I can't give back the time I have taken from you, I wish I could," Brooks said, referring to his delay tactics that ultimately failed. Armstrong revoked his bail in December, finding Brooks repeatedly misused his heart medication to postpone proceedings.

Brooks confessed to police shortly after being charged. Crown prosecutor Aaron Rankin sought a 10-year prison term and a forfeiture order of $924,954 to compensate his victims. Defence lawyer Kale Vigor argued for four to six years, citing remorse as a mitigating factor.

Brooks, in custody, told the judge he had been motivated by fear. "I'm a coward. I got scared. Nobody wants to face this and I didn't want to face it, I just didn't."

Armstrong will hand down his sentencing decision next month.