You might say Justice Robert Armstrong threw the book at convicted Cochrane conman Scott Brooks.

Not only did the Calgary Court of King’s Bench judge agree with Crown prosecutor Aaron Rankin that a 10-year prison sentence for the admitted fraudster was warranted, he also ordered Brooks to pay a nearly $1-million fine in lieu of a forfeiture order.

That last part is significant, because in default of not forking over the cash — $924,954 to be exact — by the end of the eighth year of Brooks’ penitentiary term, the Cochrane man must serve an additional five years behind bars.

Certainly, some of that time will be served in the community while on parole, but the overall punishment is severe.

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But it’s not excessive.

Brooks carried out fraudulent schemes against six targeted victims over the span of eight years, including swindling one victim out of more than $800,000.

And he had a previous conviction for fraudulent behaviour.

Such crimes are some of the worst committed as they rely on people’s natural instincts to trust others, especially those who appear........

© Calgary Herald