A former Fort Frances nurse has been sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the death of a patient at LaVerendrye General Hospital.

Lindsey Coyle pled guilty to a charge of criminal negligence causing death last August.

Coyle admitted to stealing medication for her personal use.

That led to 76-year-old Hermina Fletcher being administered a higher dose of morphine than anticipated while in hospital in January 2015.

The sentence of two years in prison follows a recommendation made by the Crown.

While rendering his decision, Justice Pieter Joubert says while sentencing of prison will disrupt Coyle and the lives of her children, he did not feel it was appropriate to accept Coyle’s lawyer’s recommendation of a suspended sentence given the serious consequences of the case.

Coyle did receive a suspended sentence with probation of nine months for a charge of breaching a condition a year after being charged in 2019.

Justice Joubert says his written reasons for sentencing will be released on February 8.