HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-05-09, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013.M-T man spendsthree weeks in jail
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the world than just Haiti.
I was energized by Joyce’s passion
to make bed mats for children in
Haiti. I not only went home and got
started on my backyard project but I
also asked people at my churches to
start collecting milk bags for this
important project. These Anglican
churches have done a wonderful job
of bringing in milk bags every week.
Joyce was surprised by all the bags
that these churches are collecting.
Now a year later, we have a group
at one of the churches that is helping
Joyce make these bags and a group
that is simply cutting the bags into
strips so that Joyce and a few other
women can just do the crocheting
part. Seeing Joyce’s enthusiasm and
dedication to help these children in
Haiti, even though the work was so
challenging made me believe more
in the goodness of humanity. So
often we think one person cannot
make a difference but it’s just not
true.
Let me return to the two men in
the nursing home. The nurse helped
Frank, who was frustrated, and he
became energized to relive his pas-
sion for driving truck even though he
was only pretending. But Frank’s
passion for truck driving also ener-
gized Bill’s passion for dancing.
Whenever you find yourself needing
motivation to get started on a large
project, go to someone who has a
passion for doing something and
they will give you the energy you
need to get started on your large
project.
Joyce is still using her passion for
making bed mats for Haiti and she is
making a difference in the lives of
children and families in that country.
She is always willing to give anyone
a lesson in making them. Give her a
call at 519-357-2562 and make a dif-
ference in someone else’s life.
Justin Thompson of Morris-Turnberry pled guilty to three countsof failing to comply with the terms ofa probation order in Wingham courton April 18 and will serve threeweeks in jail as a result.
Thompson was facing 11 charges,
eight of which were dropped as a
result of his guilty plea.
Judge R.G.E. Hunter sentenced
Thompson to 21 days in jail in con-
nection with a charge from Aug. 6,
2012, 10 days concurrent in connec-
tion with a charge from Jan. 5, 2013
and a 12-month probation term upon
his release in connection with a
charge from Dec. 13, 2012.
Crown Attorney Laura Grant said
that on Aug. 6, 2012, a Wingham
Police officer notified the Ontario
Provincial Police (OPP) that he
observed a man he knew to be
Thompson through the window of an
apartment the officer knew not to be
Thompson’s. The call was made at 3
a.m. when a condition of
Thompson’s probation was a curfew
that dictated Thompson be home
between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
On Dec. 13, 2012, Grant told
Hunter, Thompson, who was staying
with his grandparents at the time,
received a phone call from a man
with whom he was prohibited from
speaking. Grant said the man called
the Thompson home and
Thompson’s grandmother answered
and put her grandson on the phone.
Thompson then broke his curfew
once again on Jan. 5, 2013, Grant
said, when police were dispatched to
a dispute between a taxi driver and a
young man who was eventually iden-
tified as Thompson. The driver con-
tacted police over an argument in
regards to payment and when the
police arrived they found tracks in
the snow that led to Thompson’s
grandparents’ home, where
Thompson was found inside, Grant
said.
The police were dispatched to the
call between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.,
which was another breach of
Thompson’s 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. curfew
term of his probation.
Grant suggested a sentence on all
three counts of 60 days in jail, in
addition to the six days of pre-trial
custody Thompson had served.
Thompson’s lawyer, Phil Cornish,
however, felt a jail term was too
stiff, and suggested perhaps further
probation, or a fine.
Thompson’s last conviction on a
charge of failing to comply with pro-
bation terms, Cornish said, was
seven years earlier, so Thompson’srecord in regards to breaching proba-tion was not particularly valid.Cornish told Hunter that if Hunterdid see fit that Thompson be sen-tenced to time in jail, that the sen-
tence should be no more than 15
days, taking into account the six days
of time served.
Hunter, however, sentenced
Thompson to 21 days and 10 days
concurrent in jail associated with the
two curfew breach charges. When
Thompson is released, he will be on
a 12-month term of probation as a
result of the Dec. 13, 2012 charge.
FAILURE TO YIELD
Sharon Rapson of Brussels did not
appear in Wingham court on April
18, but on behalf of Rapson her
lawyer pled not guilty to a charge of
dangerous operation of a vehicle
from Dec. 25, 2012.
The lawyer, acting on behalf of
Rapson, stated that Rapson would be
pleading not guilty to the charge of
dangerous operation, but would be
pleading to a charge under the
Highway Traffic Act of failing to
yield to a pedestrian.
Grant told Hunter that Rapson and
her husband David had been married
for nearly 40 years and had five chil-
dren together at the time of the inci-
dent, but Sharon told David that she
wished to end the relationship in
July, 2012.
In response to Sharon’s request,
Grant said, “there was not a meeting
of the minds” between the two.
On Christmas Day, 2012, Grant
said, Sharon attended a Christmas
dinner at David’s home which ended
with an argument.
Sharon then attempted to leave the
home, Grant said, but David didn’t
want her to leave. David then stood
in front of Sharon’s car, blocking her
exit from the home.
Grant said that Sharon then began
a cycle of driving and stopping that
resulted in David ending up on the
hood of the car and holding on. He
remained on the car until Sharon
made her way to the road, when
David got off of the car, Grant
said.
Sharon was given a $150 fine, plus
the fine’s surcharge, as a result of the
incident. She has 30 days to pay the
fine.
David also faced three charges in
connection with the same incident
and was in court on April 18 to face
the charges. He agreed to enter into a
peace bond, with a value of $500, for
12 months.
Project continues growing
Another year wiser
Brianna McNichol celebrated her fourth birthday on Friday at the Hullett Central Public School
annual spring fun fair, which was held in Blyth. Here, Snippety the Clown presented Brianna
with a balloon sword as a birthday present. (Vicky Bremner photo)
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