A Markham man connected to a rash of jewelry store thefts across southern Ontario, including two in Niagara, has been sentenced to time served and released from custody.

Diego Dini, 21, appeared in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Wednesday for sentencing on four charges of theft over $5,000 and a single count of theft under $5,000.

His sentence was suspended and the offender, who had no prior involvement with the criminal justice system, was placed on probation for two years.

Judge Joseph De Filippis said the sentence takes into account the time the young man had spent behind bars, which was the equivalent of eight months.

The judge noted the Court of Appeal for Ontario has directed that youthful first-time offenders “should be dealt with with restraint.”

“I am of the vi

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