Former London cemetery groundskeeper Aaron Hobberlin knew firsthand there was a treasure-trove of potential scrap metal at his fingertips.

Bronze vases such as this one were stolen last month from Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

The ex-employee of Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens saw daily the bronze vases at grave sites used to hold fresh flowers placed by family and friends to remember loved ones.

Each bronze vase had a value of about $180, so the cemetery's inventory represented a potential cash windfall.

Hobberlin knew that, but yesterday wouldn't admit he'd concocted the brazen scheme, even though his co-accused said Hobberlin had directed him to take vases to a Brantford scrap-yard by taxi.

"I'm sorry for what I did," the Brantford man told Ontario Court Justice Deborah Livingstone, after he pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property.

However, he wouldn't admit he was the "mastermind."

"I need to get out and support my family," he said.

Livingstone didn't agree and called what he did "a greedy and spiteful act."

She sentenced him to nine months in jail, reduced to seven months for the time he's spent in custody. Tacked on was a year of probation and 50 hours of community service.

"You were the employee who knew where the property was located, knew the potential value," Livingstone said, making Hobberlin the most responsible for an "egregious" breach of trust.

She didn't order him to repay the losses, because "it is impossible for you to repay in a financial sense and emotional one."

His co-accused, Jeffrey Bunn, 39, also of Brantford, a bit player in the scheme, pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to time served, plus 18 months probation and community service hours.

Bunn readily admitted his role when he was arrested.

Hobberlin, assistant Crown attorney Michael Michaud told Livingstone, wasn't as forthcoming. When arrested for questioning, he said, " 'What do you want, pig?' " Michaud said.

"I ain't saying (anything)," he told London police once charged.

His arrest came days after he had boasted how he heroically cracked the case of the missing vases.

The east London cemetery was looking into complaints from families that their vases were gone. After an inventory June 14, it was discovered 170 vases -- worth $30,000 -- were missing.

Hobberlin called a cemetery worker, then showed up at his house with three boxes of vases and claimed he got them from the thief. What he didn't tell was that Bunn, his roommate in Brantford, had agreed to take some of the vases to Triple M Metal, a scrap-yard.

Bunn told police Hobberlin offered him a chance to make some cash. All he had to do was take vases to the scrap-yard.

Bunn was shown eight vases Hobberlin said had been "struck by a lawnmower."

On the first trip to the scrap dealer, Bunn took a cab arranged by Hobberlin that was "loaded with boxes," Michaud said.

Bunn cashed out 308 pounds at $585.25 and was given a 10-per-cent cut. The real value of the vases was more than $7,000.

On the second trip -- again by cab -- he received $123.50 for 65 lbs. of metal. Bunn was given $40. Their estimated worth was $1,580.

On June 16, Bunn again took a cab full of boxes and was given $558.60 for vases worth more than $7,000. Hobberlin gave him a $50 cut.

Bunn made a written apology to the affected families.

Police recovered 135 of the vases from the scrap-yard.

Hobberlin tried to "spin a tale of heroism" to police about his "courageous efforts to recover the vases," Michaud said. Then, he boldly told police he would plead guilty "and get out on time served."

Defence lawyer Rob Kitto said his client was originally from Etobicoke but living with his mother in Brantford. He has worked in landscaping since age 14, is engaged and has a son.

Kitto said Hobberlin showed some remorse by returning some vases.

A letter from cemetery management told how families felt "personally violated" by the thefts. It cost $10,000 to replace the lost vases.

Hobberlin shook his head in disagreement after he was sentenced. Then, he shrugged his shoulders.

"That's life," he said to Kitto, before being led away.

He boldly told police he would plead guilty "and get out on time served."

Jane Sims is a Free Press justice reporter.

E-MAIL: Jane Sims