An Indian student in Canada is asking a judge for a discharge after being convicted of theft and fraud, arguing that a criminal conviction could jeopardise his immigration status and force him to leave the country.Jins Joseph, who has been studying in Newfoundland and Labrador for nearly four years, was convicted on July 24 of eight counts of fraud under $5,000 and one count of theft under $5,000, The National Post reported.Joseph came to Canada in December 2022 and began studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration at Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Grenfell campus in January 2023.His study permit expires on September 30. His lawyer, Adam Crocker, told provincial court Judge Wayne Gorman that Joseph is seeking a discharge because the conviction could affect his ability to remain in Canada.Joseph had been working part-time as a butcher at a Dominion store in Corner Brook when the offences occurred.According to evidence presented at trial, surveillance footage showed Joseph repeatedly changing price stickers on meat between March and May 2025, allowing him, friends and other employees to buy products at heavily reduced prices.The store said the practice resulted in about $2,700 worth of losses,as per the outlet.Joseph has disputed the circumstances surrounding the offences. He told the court he knew changing prices was against store policy but claimed employees were allowed to take meat that would otherwise have been thrown away, provided they received permission from a manager or senior employee.He also alleged that the store had reduced his working hours because he had threatened to complain to the Labour Relations Board.Joseph further claimed he had seen meat containing cancers and tumours being prepared for sale and said he had videos showing what he described as infected meat. He alleged the store sold unsaleable meat to restaurants and takeaways at reduced prices.He said he had provided discounted meat to people including his roommates and neighbours and claimed the practice was known by management.“All I’ve done was get products with permission to feed people that are hungry, that’d otherwise go hungry without my help,” Joseph told the court.Joseph told the judge that immigration lawyers had warned him a criminal conviction could make it extremely difficult for him to remain in Canada.He said he had already spent about $100,000 on his education and feared having to leave would force him to restart his degree elsewhere.“If I have to leave the country, I’m going to have to restart my entire degree all over again,” he said.Joseph also told the court he has a partner in Canada and had promised to build a future with her.His lawyer argued that an absolute or conditional discharge would be appropriate and said a conviction could affect Joseph’s degree, employment prospects, eligibility for post-graduate work opportunities and continued residence in Canada.The Crown proposed a conditional sentence of five to six months less a day, followed by 12 months of probation.Judge Gorman said immigration consequences could be considered when determining the sentence but stressed that a conviction does not automatically mean Joseph will be removed from Canada.“It is not an automatic sequence, conviction equals removal from the country,” Gorman said.Joseph has secured a new job which his lawyer said he hopes to keep after completing his studies.The judge has reserved his sentencing decision until August 20.
