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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-02-23, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2000. Listowel man gets jail term last month court Feb. guilty in A Listowel man convicted of over 80 and careless driving appeared in Wingham’s 17 to face the music. Jason Stephens pled January on both charges which were laid following an accident in Wingham on July 18. Presenting a pre-sentence report, counsel said the accident had been a “wake-up call” lor his client. Stephens most previous recent drunk driving conviction was Jan. 16, 1998. Judge Garry Hunter sentenced him to 30 days for the drunk driving charge and three months consecutive for the dangerous driving. Following his release he is on probation for one year. Stephens is prohibited from driv­ ing for three years. Theft under $5,000 Timothy Robillard of Shelburne was sentenced to 15 days consecu­ tive to the time currently being served for the theft of a Sony play station and two games from a Wingham store in September. Robillard who pled guilty is in jail for similar charges. Hunter also ordered him to make restitution in the amount of $429 within nine months from the date of release. Drunk driving A Belgrave man changed his plea to guilty following the officer’s tes­ timony. Curtis McKee was charged in Tumberry Sept. 26 with over 80. Const. Vicky Gallagher testified that after stopping McKee that night she had detected an odour of alcohol and noticed his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. He was fined $850 and prohibited from driving for one year. Over 80 Karen Remus, of Goderich, guilty to a charge of over 80. Remus was arrested July 23 in Blyth, after she backed into a police cruiser in a parking lot. There was no damage to either vehicle. Breathalizer readings were 160. She was fined $750 and prohibited from driving for 12 months. Decision Hunter took two months to consid­ er the evidence before finding Brad Beuermann of St. Catherines guilty pled Policing committee discusses security on drunk driving charges. In the Crown’s case, presented in December, it explained that officers had arrived at the scene of an acci­ dent the morning of March 7, where they found a vehicle in the ditch. The windows were fogged, the car was running and there were beer bottles laying outside. Beuermann was asleep in the car. He said he drank after the car went in the ditch and had the car running to stay warm. The officer testified that the roads were bare and dry, flat and straight. He had no explanation for the cause of the accident. Beuermann said he had fallen asleep and hadn’t been drinking before. Breathalizer readings were 140. Hunter said he had no doubt the accused was impaired. The sole issue therefore was care and control. “I am satisfied that he did have care and control. At no time did he relinquish care and control.” Beuermann has no previous record. In addition to being off the road for one year, Beuermann was fined $750. Security was the theme for the monthly North Huron Community Policing Committee meeting in Brussels, Feb. 16. Several members of the public were present along with committee members to hear Paul Stephen from Innovative Security Systems in Seaforth. Stephen discussed the sys­ tems available to protect homes from intruders, fire or carbon monoxide. Having a security system installed is not as costly as many people believe, said Stephen. A basic one for a home could be installed for $199 with a $20 monthly monitoring fee. He also said that people who have a monitored security system installed can generally anticipate a 10-15 per cent discount on their insurance policy. “Ask your agent. If they say not, I’d be surprised,” he said. Following Stephen’s presentation, committee member Max Demaray from Howick Twp., discussed the Mutual Protect program. This is sponsored by Ontario’s Farm Mutual Insurance Companies and the OPP. The first step, said Demaray is to pick up one of the Mutual Protect engravers from the local Farm Mutual Insurance Company or the OPP. The engraver is used to put a num­ ber on easily portable valuables. A car license plate number is recom­ mended. Once the engraver is returned Mutual Protect window stickers are given out to let thieves know this house is off limits, said Demaray. Items to be marked include com­ puter equipment, TVs, VCRs, stere­ os, cameras, game machines, video equipment and jewellery. Demaray also recommends using a ballpoint pen for expensive clothing such as furs or leather jackets. The next meeting of the CPC, which is open to the public, is on March 16 in Blyth at the Bainton Gallery. Assault Antonio Toma, RR2, Wingham, pled guilty to assault. Attorney for the Crown R.J. Guthrie said the 23-year-old victim was enroute to work when he encountered six people. Toma accused the man of having hit his sister, which he denied. Guthrie said Toma then punched the man as did some of his friends. Duty Counsel John Myers said that Toma indicated to him he had been pushed and spit on. “He lost control. He obviously took the law into his own hand, which was ill advised.” Toma was fined $250 and placed on 12 months probation. He is to have no contact with the victim. Toma is also prohibited from own­ ing firearms for five years. ATV theft Two men charged with theft changed their plea to guilty follow­ ing a witness’s testimony. Thomas Brindley and Jason Caesar were accused of selling a stolen ATV. A 17-year-old purchased the machine from them for $1,500. No receipt or documentation was exchanged. Guthrie recommended probation and that restitution be made to the youth’s mother, from whom payment had come. Hunter initially expressed concern with this stating that “on the basis of what I heard here today, (the youth) is as guilty as they are.” Guthrie noted, however, that if restitution is not made the pair prof- it. The vehicle was returned and the insurance company has closed the file. Brindley’s attorney Lynn Johnston requested an unconditional discharge for her client as he travels to the United States as part of his employ­ ment and this would be jeopardized by a criminal record. Tim Macdonald, defense counsel for Caesar requested the same for his client. He spoke of Caesar’s regret adding, “I don’t think your Honour will see him here again.” Hunter granted the conditional dis­ charges saying that “(The youth) is hardly blameless and he’s walking away without a record.” Brindley and Caesar were placed on probation for 12 months. They must make restitution in the amount of $750 each and serve 100 hours of community service within the next 11 months. They are to have no con­ tact with each other or the 17-year- old. Marijuana possession Robin Markham of RR1, Auburn pled guilty to marijuana possession. He was charged April 20 in Blyth after a search uncovered a small quantity of marijuana. Markham has no related record. He was fined $100. Eliminate Your Headaches! Call now to have us do your Personal or Business Taxes! C.A.M.C. Bookkeeping & Income Tax Service Inc. 329 Edward St., Wingham 357-3687 camc@wcl.on.ca T.P.I. TRAVEL SEAFORTH Operated by Dave & Michelle Deighton Here To Serve You! 3 E) 3 All you have to do is pack ~ well look after everything else! Package Tours Cruises Last Minute Sell-Offs E) Air Fares 0 Travel Insurance 13 Car Rentals Open Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m;. 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