Fraudster granted parole two and a half years into sentence
Posted October 25, 2012 5:13 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – He defrauded friends and family and was eventually handed a nine year prison sentence.
Former Victoria investment advisor Ian Thow has been granted full parole, just two and a half years later.
It was back in early 2010 that Thow pleaded guilty in an eight million dollar fraud case.
Patrick Storey of the Parole Board of Canada says he’s now being released since he is not considered a threat to commit violence.
“In a case like this, the board has to review all the information that’s available and come to some conclusion about Mr. Thow’s risk to commit a violent offense.”
Storey says Thow has been given full parole after qualifying for what’s called an ‘accelerated parole review‘ thanks to a recent ruling in BC Supreme Court.
A judge had found a federal act that abolished the reviews should not apply to those in jail before before the law was changed.
“When that court decision was made, Mr. Thow was again eligible for the accelerated parole review.””
While he is being released, Thow will remain under the watch of a parole office.
