Barbara Tannock Sentenced To Six Months
Former banking executive Barbara Tannock was sentenced to six months in prison this afternoon [July 6] after pleading guilty to stealing $76,500 from an elderly couple.
During her sentencing hearing, she returned most the money she was convicted of stealing, with her lawyer handing over a cashier’s check for $70,000.
Ms Tannock, 42, previously pleaded guilty to five counts of theft from the accounts from Mr and Mrs Place, an elderly couple who owned Place’s Place bar in Hamilton. The offences took place in 2009 and 2010, and Mr Place passed away during that time.
The couple had known Ms Tannock through her job at a local bank, and when she started her own company she convinced the Places to become clients, where she proceeded to use her position to plunder their bank account.
Ms Tannock will also, by Court Order, have her name entered into Bermuda’s Register of Senior Abusers.
Noting that the maximum sentence for fraud involving breaches of trust was ten years in prison, but noting Ms Tannock’s clean record and taking into account the amount, the Crown recommended a sentence between 18 and 24 months.
Defence lawyer Marc Pettingill produced a cashier’s cheque in the amount of $70,000, drawn on Butterfield Bank, made out to the Accountant General; which he offered as a payment of part restitution by Ms Tannock. He spoke of her intelligence and said that she was a well-educated woman who was ambitious.
Justice Greaves said that people who commit fraud “…are not dumb. They are smart.” He also said that according to the Social Inquiry Report she has a high propensity to re-offend.
Just prior to sentencing, given her opportunity to speak, Ms Tannock said that she had a fall from grace and that as a result she had lost her reputation, her credibility, and had broken some relationships.
Becoming tearful and in a slightly choking voice, she said: “I accept what I have done, that it was wrong.” She went on to say that the cheque was a valid check and that it represented real money that was in the care of the bank.
Justice Greaves began his sentencing comments by saying that he had never heard such an eloquent speech from the dock where the accused person stands. He said: “Facts are facts. These were terribly dishonest acts.” The Justice said that in his view, the offence merited a term of imprisonment of 18 months.
Rejecting Mr Pettingill’s recommendation for a sentence not involving incarceration, Justice Carlyle Greaves handed down a sentence of six months in prison for each of five counts, to run concurrently for a total of six months. In addition, he ordered that Ms Tannock must serve a two probation period after her release.
The Justice also imposed a special condition that if the cheque turned out to be a bad cheque, Ms Tannock must serve 18 months in lieu.
After sentencing she was escorted directly from Court into a van, and taken away to begin her prison sentence.
- File photo
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OK so I can go out and steal a lot of money and if I get caught I can pay it back and get a slap on the wrist of 6 months. If I don’t get caught whoopee !!,
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…….F&UKIT UMMA STEAL SOME MONEY TOO!
Another slap in the face of justice, along with a slap on the wrist. Shame on us.
What does that actually mean? Is she serving 6 months in total or 6 months x 5 offences totalling 30 months?
Sorry, we should have been more clear, we just amended it…all the sentences run together for a total of 6 months.
U don’t understand the meaning of concurrent (all together)so she only gets 6 months
Is this a joke? Theft just maybe on the increase due to the slight punishment!
Something to consider…Elder Abuse Legislation
Canada: The June 3, 2011 Speech from the Throne stated, “Our Government will continue to protect the most vulnerable in society and work to prevent crime. It will propose tougher sentences for those who abuse seniors.” It is estimated that by 2036 there will be more than 10 million Canadians aged 65 or over, representing almost 25 percent of the country’s population. Therefore, it is important that laws are in place to protect elderly people from abuse and other forms of crime.
Under the proposed amendment to the Criminal Code, evidence that an offence had a significant impact on the victims due to their age and other personal circumstances, such as health or financial situation, would be considered an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes.
Life goes on … Learn from this experience , understand that you brought it on your self , take this time to heal self ,because life is GOOD . Only fools will gloat and feel good about themselves even though they themselves maybe rotten to the core .
Damn, sorry she put herself in this position. As much as you have to accept she pleaded guilty and paid back as much as she could; the point that nerved me the most (and I will stand corrected) was that now she is “Registered as a Senior Abuser”?
Do we have a Sex Offender Registry?
Hello!…. we hate when people steal from their granny but dont want to keep track of people exploiting the children?
Seriously?!
All that money spent.
And the Lawyer….well…..oba to to oba………………….
@Connect,
Wow so we just legislate such Registries with no deterrents is what you are saying?
We will just add your name to a list NO-ONE will see unless they go looking!!!!
Sorry, not to be sarcastic but sounds like a waste of time…..
This is not a “list” that they are proposing…it is the introduction of an increased penalty zone.
The elderly are often vulnerable and targeted accordingly. In terms of financial crimes many elderly victims will never be in a position to recover. At 42, Ms Tannock will no doubt recover.
Yes, the sentences handed down in the two senior abuse cases have been light. But would anybody want to hire any of them when they get out of jail? I doubt anyone in the financial/insurance industry will.
Six months is a joke, but she will lose her CFA designation and that is more demeaning than a six month prison sentence. She will never be able to obtain or apply for any decent well paying job in Bermuda.
We have ALL had moments of weakness, some public and others hidden. God will give you the strength to rebuild your life. Remember who you serve and put your trust in God.
And just think, when Tannock get out of jail, she’ll be going back to her own business. PATHETIC, six months.
the Pee L(for losers) Pee will feel sorry for her next thing you know she will be the Deputy Premier (better then the one we have now)
Cheap stunt Pettingill – like she would have done this if she hadn’t been caught!! It changes nothing, you deserve EVERYTHING you get lady. Enjoy the food, and the hard mattress…..
Greed KILLS ! Shame on greed ! God Bless the Place family and you Ms. Tannock !
Don’t forget all…… She will be out in 3 months for good behavour!!!!
Bit(h!
oh by the way! she will only serve 4mth due to 2 mths been taken away for good behavior..
This is a sad situation…..both for Barbara and the victim. The victim was forced to go through a period of financial suffering. While this young woman has had to undergo more than two years of embarrassment , loss of friends, family and business associates. She further faces separation from a young child. It is hoped with this sentence she recognizes what greed and the love of material possessions can lead you too. This society that we live in breeds creatures such as Barbara and the delinquent youth we currently are struggling with. We as parents are to liberal and refuse to control our children’s wants, we feed them until we either can no longer or refuse to without considering the consequences to society . This case is a classic example of what we get for allowing our children to feel entitled and not encouraging them to earn. The gangsters, drug dealers and senior abuses. I could go on but it starts with $1,000.00 Prom dresses and weekends at Hotels….. I could go on and on but choose to stop here. I certainly hope that we learn from these lessons all around us.
black greed…its taking over the world
These so called care givers are hard looking women !!!!they are horrible exuses for human beings.
typical bermudian !! thinks bermuda is another world !! but according to the sentence …..it is !! $70,000,00 !!!! thats life changing ..shes a mole !!
Its amazing how people here want blood. How serious people take themselves in little Bermuda where in the real wide world they and their posts would be irrelevant. There are never victimless crimes, yes Barbara Tannock has destroyed her life and career prospects permanently and as clients of a Bank with fidelity insurance and an annual audit she would always have been caught and the victims would always have been repaid. yes the victims have suffered emotional anguish.
do the family and friends, even the ones who wobt deal with her anymore, do they suffer any less? bermuda has become cruel and unforgiving.
i wonder whether the same public reaction would stem from a 35 year old British secretary on $125,000 a year with no qualifications or experience working as an underwriting assistant who gets protected every time her permit is renewed, even although white locals with 10+ years experience keep applying for the same job, get rejected every time, in favour of someone with no experience who simply hangs out with her mates at Pickled Onion every weeknight……? would all of you express the samepublic outcry to the scenario affecting hundreds of our families daily? people lying to stay here to work and depriving families the ability to feed their families nd pay their mortgages??
barbara tannock is finished, but we notice Shawn Crockwell is now reformed and embrced right? give me a break already.
its not about wanting blood its about judges being consistant when dishing out time in prison.6 months for stealing 70grand when you are in a position of trust makes no sense at all,i notice that she does not have to pay the money back so what has she lost,nothing she will get to see her family again and i would gladly do 6months in that hotel westgate.and how can you say there are never victimless crimes,selling drugs and prostitution are both victimless crimes,no one forces you to buy drugs or sex from them its no different from buying something from the shop but we get punished to the full extent for things that have been around since the 10 commandments,and as far as i recall in those 10 commandments it says thou shall not steal!!!!!when you have a chance look up victimless crimes on the wikipedia
Shawn served his time and came out a better person…..maybe Ms Tannock will do the same thing and become a better person.
Whats wif all these muglets abusing grannies lately?!?! I kno times are hard, but JEEKUMS.
If anyone abused my granny, Id jook em in their chops!!!!!!!!! REAL TALK
Yes, she got the sentence she deserved – but how come lawyers who commit fraud rarely go to jail? I’m thinking about that (thankfully deceased) creep …
This woman should be tattooed on her forehead or the top of her hand with the the word ‘THIEF’ so that anyone dealing with her in the future can be aware of what they might have to expect.
boy you commenters are very mean. she knows she did very wrong. now more on to your next complaint and bashing
Whow! To Think i was offered a job by this lady. So glad i still have my own clients who didn’t want to switch to her.Was not a good move Barbara! To think i trusted everything you said to me.
@ mean,
Tannock is an evil calculating person who knew exactly what she was doing.
I wonder what you would say if she took advantage of anyone in your family, especially if they were elderly!
What if she did not get caught no good being all sorry now!
Ms. Tannock was never a well liked individual, perhaps this is why a lot of people want blood!
If she were a nicer person, then perhaps people would be less harsh on her.
But the fact is that she stole from money from two elderly people who trusted her and she deserves to be punished whether she is incarcerated for six months or less!
Bermuda is a small place and you should never burn your bridges!
Madea goes to jail.
the moral debate above with words like evil, calculating and wicked are very insignthful.
none of you had the same venom for John Duess who brought negative international attention to Bermuda recently with his criminal money laundering etc matter in Netherlands where he was extradited.
so John Duess is now a national hero right?
also it would be interestingn to know how you all view under declaring goods at the airport when you arrive, yes this is also an offense, particularly has you are doing your island out of much needed tax revenues for schools, hospitals, healthcare instead of paying your correct amount of 25% duty, but dont tell me, that isjt a crime right?
Barbara, dont fret, in the fullness of time you will be the next OBA MP embraced by the same people above who are still vexed since losingthe political element of their continued economic dominance of Bermuda.
small island innthe atlantic with people who take themselves way too seriously, try london or new york with your big opinons and marches on Parliament and Cabinet, you people are hilarious.
Mr. Deuss is a great friend of Bermuda. He has given many Bermudians good and legitimate work. What is disgusting is his betrayal by a Premier looking for a job with the Euro Trash in Brussels.
@$70,000…. you sound like you are on some powerful drugs!
Shame on you Bernews for allowing this dimwit the opportunity to post his/her comments!
OMG! It is a dangerous thing to know that there may be several others out there who think the same way!
Tannock blatantly and systemically swindles an elderly couple out of their savings, receives a light sentence from a Judge who is friendly with her parents,(note his remarks) and some idiot turns this criminal act into a political matter!
@Victor..thank you. John Deuss helped a lot of Bermudians and was very generous with his money within the community.
Unlike Ms. Tannock who helped herself to someone else’s money!!
So Bermuda has a Register of Senior Abusers and no sex offenders register. Especially one for pedophiles. Something’s wrong with this picture.
Ms Tannock has staff at her company who have gone unpaid for a few weeks … will they have to wait until she is released from jail? Chances are they are also being defrauded. Should they keep working or just give it up? And yes, I do know one of them that hasn’t been paid so I can state this as fact.
The two sisters that stole from granma got 15 months so how she only get 6 months
she’s now applying for jobs under the name of barbara williams i heard today. buyer beware…..