Kristopher Cook pleaded guilty to fraud in September. (Submitted by Robin Feagan)

Sentencing submissions have wrapped up in a Calgary courtroom for a man who pretended to have cancer to get money from a fundraiser.

Kristopher Cook pleaded guilty to fraud for an incident last year where local musicians held a benefit for him and raised $7,500 because they thought he had a brain tumour.

Cook later skipped town with the money. He was tracked down in Victoria and brought back to Calgary in September.

The Crown is asking for jail time, probation and a $7,500 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.

However, Cook's lawyer, Joel Chevrefils, believes his client has been punished enough.

He said Cook was severely beaten while at the Calgary Remand Centre in what some describe as "jailhouse justice."

Verdict expected in January

Cook has been kept in solitary confinement since then and is only allowed out of his cell for one hour a day.

"At this point, on behalf of Mr. Cook, all we'll say he's tendered his guilty plea. He's accepted full responsibility for the offence he has committed and he's willing and prepared to accept the consequences for his actions," said Chevrefils.

The judge's verdict is expected to come back Jan. 10.

Cook will remain in jail over Christmas while the judge decides his fate. He has been in custody since he was arrested in September.

Former friends of the Calgary man say they are happy a judge is taking time to consider his punishment.

"I think it's important to send a message to people out there who would be considering doing something similar to what he's done to show that there are serious consequences — that you do have to pay for that, that it's not just in and out and community service," said Nicki Dudas.