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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-04-28, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1999. PAGE 11. Teen gets 60 days in jail for assault A Blylh tccn was sentenced to 60 days in jail after being found guilty, Thursday, in Wingham’s provincial court, of assault causing bodily harm. Steve Garnet, who has been in custody since his arrest following the Feb. 14 incident, pled not guilty to the charge, but guilty to a lesser charge of assault. His plea was not accepted by the Crown. The first witness called by Crown Attorney Bob Morris was the vic­ tim, Ken MacTavish of Bluevalc. On questioning, the 22-year-old said he had been confronted in a Wingham store by a friend of the accused, who was also present along with a group of teens, regard­ ing an unpaid debt. MacTavish said he left to get the money and after paying the debt, Garnet continued to argue with him. MacTavish said at one point Garnet told him, "You better watch your back, kid, watch your back." The group left, but MacTavish said he had a "bad feeling". After purchasing a card he went out to his car and found the teens standing by it. As he attempted to get into his car, MacTavish said Garnet slapped him on the back of the head a few times, then when he turned punched him with his fist, blackening his eye. Refusing to fight back, Mac­ Tavish ran for the door of the store. As he reached for the door, the vic­ tim said, he was pushed by Garnet, causing him to fall into the plate glass which shattered, cutting his hand and shoulder. He required six stitches. Asked by Morris if he had retali­ ated in any way, the 6', 175 lb., MacTavish said "I never touched (Garnet)." During cross examination by defense counsel J. Kieffer, Mac­ Tavish steadfastly maintained that there had been no ice at the door's entrance, that his fall had not been as a result of slipping. Erin Forrest, 19, a store employ­ ee, backed up much of MacTavish's testimony though said while she didn't recall there being any ice at the door, it was a possibility. She said she overheard Garnet tell MacTavish, "You call me a liar again and I'm going to kick your ass." When Garnet took the stand he maintained that MacTavish's fall into the door had been an accident caused by ice or snow, though he did admit to striking him at the car. Morris asked him why he was involved in the dispute between MacTavish and his friend. He also questioned why, when the debt had been paid the group hadn't left the area. Garnet said that MacTavish had called him a liar and "I felt if he really had a problem with me I wanted to deal wiLh it." "1 suggest you wanted to beat him up," said Morris. Garnet responded, "1 wouldn't say I beat him up." He maintained that MacTavish had put his hands up before Garnet struck him in the face. In summation Kieffer said the central issue is whether there was some doubt Garnet had pushed MacTavish. Judge Garry Hunter, however, had no doubt. "I find the victim to be a credible witness. He gave his evidence in a forthright manner." Questioning Garnet's testimony, Hunter said "I don't believe for a minute that the black eye was a result of self-defense." In addition to the jail term, Hunter placed the 18-year-old on 12 months probation during which lime he must have no contact with MacTavish and must take coun­ selling. He also received a 10-year weapon prohibition. Obstruction A Wingham woman pled guilty to obstructing a police officer. Wanda Markowski was arrested Dec. 31 after police were called to an apartment in Wingham. Morris said at the time, Markowski was intoxicated and refused to leave. When police arrived the 36-year- old was told that to refuse meant she was trespassing. Markowski resisted arrest, fought the officer and was verbally abu­ sive. Defense Counsel Tom White said Markowski was "extremely intoxi­ cated" al the time and was having a problem with a person at the resi­ dence. He added that she is currently undergoing counselling. Hunter fined her $300 and placed her on probation for one year. She has six months to pay. Stolen property After testimony was presented by the Crown’s witness, a Kitchener woman charged with possession of stolen property changed her plea to guilty. Regan Keyes, formerly of Wing­ ham, was arrested Oct. 27 when a video camera and tape stolen from Snyder's in Wingham was found by police al her residence. Jim Snyder had testified that Keyes and a man had been at the OPP report Cyclist recovers in hospital On April 21, a cyclist was struck while riding his bicycle. Brian King, 14, of Bluevale was westbound on County Rd. 86 at 8:15 a.m., riding his bike into oncoming traffic. The collision took place a short distance away from Bluevale. Police said, a 1981 GMC pickup truck, driven by Douglas Campbell, 49, of Lucknow was travelling east and had just topped a hill as he was going around a curve. He didn't see the cyclist until he was upon him. The youth was knocked to the ground and received a leg injury. He was transported to Wingham and District Hospital with a severe leg injury and was transferred to London Hospital Westminster Campus where he is listed in stable condition. King was wearing his helmet, which police say, saved him from major head injuries. No charges will be laid in the collision. CASSETTE TAPES STOLEN FROM VEHICLE - BRUSSELS On April 19 at approximately 3:45 p.m. a citizen from Alexander Street in Brussels reported the theft of cassette tapes. Police said that sometime during the night, a person entered the unlocked vehicle, parked in the parking lot of the apartment building, and stole 36 country and western tapes from under the seat. Anyone who knows of someone with a new large quantity of cassette tapes is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers. ATV STOLEN FROM HOME IN McKILLOP TWP. On April 25 at approximately 10 studio with their baby for a photo session on Oct. 24. After the photo session, Snyder came into the retail part of the store and saw the man "stuffing" some­ thing into a bag at the back of the baby's stroller. It was later discov­ ered that a video camera, valued at $1,000 was missing. Defense Counsel Brian Kelly said Keyes had been in an abusive a.m. an ATV was reported stolen from a home on Cone. 8 of McKillop Twp. According to police sometime between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. a 1996 blue-white Polaris was taken from the lawn in front of the garage. This vehicle has a plate number #RD856 and a VIN number #2947343. The vehicle was carried across the lawn to County Rd. 17 where it was loaded into a vehicle. Anyone who has information on this theft is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers. STEREO AND TOOLS STOLEN FROM HOME - Ministry announces firearms amnesty The Honourable Anne McLellan Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada has announced a federal legislative amnesty period commencing Dec. 1, 1998. The objective of this amnesty is to promote compliance with the Firearms Act. The amnesty gives owners of certain handguns and handgun barrels that have become prohibited under the Firearms Act, a period of one year to lawfully dispose of or modify them. The Amnesty also allows individuals and businesses that are in possession of unregistered restricted firearms until May 31 to lawfully dispose of or register them. The Ontario Provincial Police encourage everyone to participate in the amnesty program. The OPP has and will continue to accept relationship making it difficult for her to confront the man about the theft or go to police. Also, he noted that when police arrived at the home, the boyfriend had jumped out of the window and hadn't been seen since. Hunter placed Keyes on 12 months probation and fined her $500. She has six months to pay. McKILLOP TWP. On April 25 tools and a stereo were reported stolen from a residence in McKillop Twp. on Cone. 5 near County Rd. 14. The owner advised police that sometime between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. two of his vehicles and his workshop were entered and the items were stolen. Taken was a Kenwood stereo Model KDC- S2009 with Serial Number 80305264 and numerous tools made by Snap-On and Mac worth close to $5,000. The vehicles and the shop were left unlocked by the owner. weapons that people no longer have a need for or desire to have in their possession. OPP insist those persons wishing to turn over firearms call first to notify the police of their intent. Each circumstance will be dealt with on an individual basis. Police want to ensure the safety of persons handling the firearms and safe and legal transport of the firearm to the detachment. Police strongly mscourage firearm owners from walking into an OPP detachment with a firearm exposed without prior consent. For further information on the Federal Amnesty program please call 1-800-731-4000 or visit the web site at www.cfc.ccaf.ga.ca Feel free to call the Huron OPP detachment and speak with PC Hal Claus at 524-8314. Performance Enhanced You need a weed control solution that works on your farm and your budget. Attack weeds early and get season-long control with PROWL in your tank­ mix. It’s a proven performer at a price you can afford. PROWL gives you the flexibility to tank-mix for your specific weed pressures. For information on how to enhance your weed control program, call 1.800.263.1228. THINK PRICE. THINK PERFORMANCE. THINK PROWL. ELIGIBLE FOR Fak.mLim'. 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