Bank teller appeals conviction for role in Calgary heist

A bank teller who was sentenced to 18 months in prison after she helped her then-boyfriend and two of his friends rob the Bank of Montreal where she worked is appealing her conviction.

Kenza Belakziz, 24, was sentenced Friday for her role in the November 2014 robbery.

The appeal, which was filed Monday, argues Justice David Gates erred by dismissing Belakziz's request to withdraw her guilty plea and her request for a Jordan application, which establishes that a case must be heard within a certain period of time.

• Teller involved in bank heist gets 18 months in jail despite plea for less time over deportation concern

Belakzizpleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery in October, but shehad requested a lesser sentence over concerns she would be deported to Morocco, where she is originally from but no longer has family.

At the time of her guilty plea, she signed a document confirming she understood the judge was not bound by the six-month sentence proposed by the lawyers, which would make it possible for her to stay in Canada.

Gates said late last year that six months was too low and that the risk of being deported was "not a good enough reason to deviate from what is otherwise an appropriate sentence."

Belakziz was working at the BMObranch in the southwest Calgary neighbourhood of Mission when she gave then-boyfriendSaleem Naseryconfidential information about the bank, including its layout, silent alarm and where the money was stored.

Nasery, along withLucas Windsor and Matthew Valdes, tied up the employees and robbed the branch at gunpoint, but were apprehended by police outside the building.

All three pleaded guilty. Nasery was sentenced to six years in prison, Windsor five years and two months, and Valdes5 years.

Belakzizis seeking to be released on bail pending her appeal, which will be heard on July 5.

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