A Moose Jaw woman who admitted to a series of theft-related offences involving credit and debit card purchases was sentenced to an 18-month conditional sentence order in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Monday. 

Kara Luhning pleaded guilty to multiple counts of possession or use of a credit card knowing it was obtained through the commission of an offence, two counts of failing to attend court, failing to report to a bail supervisor, theft under $5,000 and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. 

Numerous additional charges were withdrawn or stayed as part of a joint submission between Crown prosecutor Rob Parker and defence lawyer Roch Dupont. 

Judge Brian Hendrickson accepted the joint recommendation, describing it as a fair and just resolution. 

Series of thefts and fraudulent transactions 

Court heard many of the offences stemmed from vehicle break-ins and stolen wallets across Moose Jaw in 2025 and 2026. 

According to the agreed statement of facts presented by Parker, Luhning used stolen bank and credit cards at several local businesses, including gas stations, convenience stores, Walmart and Safeway. 

In one incident on May 16, 2025, surveillance video captured Luhning purchasing gift cards and cigarettes valued at $142.13 at the Subway Esso on Manitoba Street East using cards stolen from another individual. 

In a separate case on June 16, 2025, Luhning used a stolen debit card for four transactions totalling $278.57 and withdrew an additional $190 from a bank account through an ATM. 

Other offences involved purchases made after wallets and bank cards were stolen from vehicles. 

Surveillance footage and transaction records linked Luhning to fraudulent purchases ranging from gift cards and lottery tickets to fuel and consumer goods. 

Parker estimated the total financial losses connected to the offences were between $3,000 and $5,000. 

“When Ms. Luhning uses these cards, she is not doing small-ticket items or small purchases,” Parker said. “A lot of these transactions are for $300, $400, $500 worth of purchases.” 

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Addiction at the root of offences 

Dupont argued Luhning’s criminal behaviour was driven primarily by longstanding addictions to alcohol and drugs, pointing to her past criminal record. 

“Most of the crimes are similar to what she’s pleaded guilty to today. It’s a long history of addiction and feeding her addiction,” Dupont said. 

He told the court the relatively small transactions reflected efforts to obtain money or goods to support those addictions. 

Dupont said Luhning wanted to resolve the matters rather than proceed to numerous trials involving multiple victims and witnesses. 

“She wanted to resolve these matters now and thought it was the best way for her to get assistance with her issues, get some programming and just to agree that the conditions were basically no consumption of alcohol, cannabis or drugs,” Dupont said. 

The defence lawyer described the conditional sentence order as Luhning’s “last kick at the can” to address her addictions and return to a more stable lifestyle. 

Accused reflects on time in custody 

When Judge Brian Hendrickson asked if she had anything to say, Luhning addressed the court before sentencing and reflected on her time in custody. 

“I appreciate the time that I was given to be able to spend it here and be able to reflect on everything that I did out there,” she said. 

Luhning told the court her time in custody gave her an opportunity to consider the consequences of her actions and the direction her life could take if her behaviour continued. 

“I just don’t want to be in that kind of position,” she said. 

She also noted she is now receiving addiction treatment medication. 

Judge cites criminal record, accepts joint submission 

While accepting the joint submission, Hendrickson noted Luhning’s lengthy criminal record, which dates back to 2010 and includes previous theft-related convictions. 

The judge said the amount of money involved and the number of offences were aggravating factors. 

“Some were fairly substantial, and at the end of the day ... we’re looking at $3,000 to $5,000, which is certainly more than an inconvenience, I think, to the people whose credit cards were stolen and used,” Hendrickson said. 

At the same time, he recognized Luhning’s decision to plead guilty and avoid lengthy court proceedings. 

“I think that accepting responsibility and saying, ‘Look, I’m guilty of these offences,’ has spared the system a lot of court days and a lot of time that the witnesses, the victims, would have had to testify,” he said. 

Conditions include curfew and addictions programming 

Under the 18-month conditional sentence order, Luhning must live at an approved residence, observe an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, abstain from alcohol, cannabis and non-prescription drugs, and participate in addictions and personal programming. 

She must also provide a breath or urine sample if requested by police who have reasonable grounds to suspect a breach of her conditions. 

Hendrickson reminded Luhning that a conditional sentence is still a jail sentence, but one served in the community. 

“If you were to breach a condition of the conditional sentence order and that’s proven to the satisfaction of a judge, then the default position would be that you serve the balance in actual jail,” he said. 

The court also waived the victim surcharge, finding Luhning’s financial circumstances made payment unrealistic. There was also no restitution order. 

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