'I don't want to fight': Condo thief pleads guilty and promises to pay up

Dominic Delisle took the stand Wednesday after pleading guilty to stealing more than $30,000 in furniture and appliances from a condo in downtown St. John's last winter.

He didn't have to say anything, but he chose totalk about conditions inside Her Majesty's Penitentiary and take questions on his life of crime.

"I'm not a priest, you know that," the Quebec mansaid to Judge James Walsh. "I don't mind to pay for what I did. I don't care. But you have to provide basic rights."

Speaking with a heavy accent, at times alternating between French and English, Delislesaid he has a health condition that causes high cholesterol and he needs a low-fat diet. The problem has been exacerbated by prison food, he said, and a lack of activities available in jail.

He also said he's been denied French books, education programs and the ability to speak with his lawyer on several occasions.

Who tipped off the cops?

Delislepleaded guilty to theft over $5,000, fleeing police and breaching conditions. He will be sentenced Sept. 21.

It is alleged he and his wife, Sarah Deneault, rented a furnished condo on Suvla Street last winter, before hiring a moving company to gut the place and ship everything to Quebec City. Delisle used a fake name when signing the lease agreement.

Shortly after the landlord found the place empty and went to the police, the couple were identified as suspects and arrest warrants were issued.

In court on Wednesday, it was revealed Delislewas the one who blew the whistle by contacting his father, a lawyer in Quebec, and telling him where the police could find the stolen goods. He then told him to tell the police.

I'm guilty. I think [the landlord] had enough problems. It's just justice.- Dominic Delisle

Despite that, Delisle remained on the run and was eventually arrested after a police pursuit in the east end of St. John's.

He was carrying $1,000 in cash in his pocket at the time of his arrest.

While on the stand, prosecutor Jeff Summers asked Delisle why he used a fake name when renting the condo.

Delisletold him it was so the National Sex Offender Registry wouldn't know he had left his home in Quebec. As a convicted pimp, Delisleis required to let them know about all of his movements.

The 31-year-old said he hasspent more than nine years behind bars since his 19th birthday, with convictions for living off the avails of prostitution, uttering threats and possessing weapons illegally.

Delisle pays up, despite judge's warning

Before court on Wednesday, the prosecution and defenced reached an agreement to drop some charges if he pleaded guilty to theft and evading police.

They also agreed Delislewould pay $16,000 restitution to the landlord to cover the cost of shipping the furniture back, and to cover lost rental income.

Judge Walsh told him he didn't have to do that rental income is a civil matter and Walshdidn't believe it should be dealth with in criminal court but Delisle insisted.

"I'm guilty," he said. "I think [the landlord] had enough problems. It's just justice. I don't want to fight for something she deserves at the end of the day."

The Crown is requesting a sentence between 15-18 months, while defence lawyer Randy Piercey countered with nine months, minus four months' time served.

Deneault does not plan to follow suit with a guilty plea. She is headed for trial on Dec. 4.

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