The Citizen, 2006-04-27, Page 22Fire hazard
Blyth firefighters protected homes from a grass fire on Morris Road Thursday afternoon. Blyth
fire chief, Paul Josling advises residents to take care and extra precautions when lighting fires
because the long grass is very dry and burns like wildfire. (Carol Burns photo)
PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2006.
Court news
Man gets time served
Judge R.G.E. Hunter sentenced
Vincent Archer of Hamilton in
Wingham's provincial court April 20
to six months time served,
equivalent to a year's sentence.
Archer had been in custody since
September.
The accused, who pled guilty to
the charge of cocaine trafficking
was arrested after delivering the drug
to an undercover RCMP officer.
Federal Crown Mike Donnelly said
the purchase had been facilitated
between another individual and the
officer, who paid $1,500 for the
cocaine.
Donnelly said the drug was later
found to be 91 per cent purity.
Archer's record was submitted to
the judge.
The defence counsel said his
client's role in the offence while it
suggested culpability was that of a
minor player.
Archer is prohibited from owning
firearms for 10 years.
BREAK AND ENTER
A young man, who pled guilty to
break and enter, and a charge of
failing to appear in court, was
sentenced to nine months in custody.
Hunter made the recommendation
that the . time be served at the
Lawrence Valley Correctional
Treatment Centre.
According to Attorney for the
Crown Tim Macdonald, the
complainant arrived home June 11 to
find a young man she didn't
recognize inside. The accused,
Nicholas Allen of Howick, said he
was looking for her son and
identified himself as Sean
Armstrong.
Macdonald said through her own
investigation, the complainant found
out who Allen was and called the
police. A total of $140 cash was
missing from the home.
JAILED
A Blyth man pled guilty to assault,
possession of marijuana for the
purposes of trafficking, possession
of marijuana and failing to comply
with conditions of release.
According to Attorney for the
Crown J. O'Donnell, the assault took
place on Jan. 4. The accused, Todd
Giesbrecht and the victim got into an
argument which escalated.
Giesbrecht struck the victim in the
left eye with the back of his hand.
In speaking to the narcotics
offences, Donnelly stated that police
executed a search warrant at
Giesbrecht's home on Jan. 10. In a
dresser they found two baggier
containing 27 grams and 29 grams of
marijuana. They 'also found 50
grams in a coffee container. There
were weigh scales in the living room
and they also found a small amount
of cannabis shake, the small, leafy
fragments.
Following his arrest Giesbrecht
was released on his own
recognizance with one condition
being that he not possess any
control led substances, said
Donnelly. The accused was stopped
by police on April 15 for a traffic
violation. A "joint" was found
betWeen the two seats.
Defence counsel Quinn Ross said
that Giesbrecht, who suffers from
"terrible health" had been self-
medicating with marijuana without
obtaining the legal licence. The
assault was "outside the normal
behaviour" of his client, whom he
said was under a great deal of stress.
"It does not excuse the behaviour but
puts it into some context," said Ross.
Regarding the marijuana found in
the car, Ross said, his client had not
known it was there.
Hunter sentenced Giesbrecht, who
had spent some time in custody, to
two concurrent 90 day sentences.
These will be served intermittently.
He is prohibited from owning
weapons for 10 years.
IMPAIRED
Scott Stapleton of RR3, Wingham
pled guilty to impaired driving.
Macdonald said the accused was
stopped on London Road during a
RIDE program on March 5. The
officer noticed signs of impairment
and an odour of alcohol.
Beer caps were found in
Stapleton's sweater.
Breathalizer readings were 150
and 130 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of
blood.
The 21-year-old, who has no
record, was fined $750 is prohibited -
from driving for 12 months. He was
given 30 days to pay the fine.
CARELESS DRIVING
An RRI, Alliston man pled guilty'
to careless driving.
O'Donnell said that Gareth
Cristan was stopped Aug. 20 near
Blyth. The officer determined that
the accused had been consuming
alcohol and arrested him.
Cristan, who has no related record,
was given a six-month driving
suspension and was fined $500,
which he has 30 days to pay.
• UTTERING THREAT
Jason Robert Holmes of Wingham
pled guilty to uttering a threat.
Macdonald said that on Feb. 3
Holmes had gone to a local business
wanting to return an item: When he
was told he couldn't he became
angry, raised his voice and
threatened the clerk.
Holmes was fined $400 and placed
on probation for 12 months. He is
prohibited from owning weapons for
five years.
MARIJUANA POSSESSION
Duane Harnock of Kitchener
received a $300 fine for marijuana
possession.
Harnock was charged March 6
after police executed a search
warrant at his residence, which was
then in Huron East, and found 5.8
grams of marijuana.
The accused has a conviction for
cultivation from '1994.
Harnock was given four months to
pay the fine.
FRAUD
Attempting • to forge a signature
and cash a cheque landed a Goderich
man in court.
- Richard Hays pled guilty to -a
fraud charge from May 12.
He "was given a conditional
discharge and placed on 12 months
probation. Hays must also complete
75 hours of community service
within nine months.
BUYING FOR A MINOR
IS A MAJOR OFFENCE
Supply alcohol to a minor and you're risking their
health and safety. You also risk up to one year in jail and up to $200,000
in fines. If you're old enough to buy alcohol legally, be responsible.
144,4,13-o
Be responsible. Don't buy for minors.
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