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The Citizen, 1999-12-22, Page 35THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22,1999. PAGE 35. Man gets 6 months under house arrest Three young men who pled guilty in tire November court to charges regarding a series of break and enters, theft and possession of stolen property, faced their day of reckoning in Wingham, Dec. 16. Submitting a pre-sentence report for Christopher Nicholson, defense counsel J. Lynch blamed immaturi­ ty saying there was suggestion that while the matter was obviously serious his client didn’t understand the gravity. Lynch went on to say that the 24- year-old originally denied any involvement, he has since taken the position that “he's the main player, the one most culpable.” He noted that Nicholson “went out of his way to tour around with the investi­ gating officers and pick up the stolen items.” Counsel said that Nicholson’s father has been supportive and taken a “keen interest” in the situta- tion. Noting that the stolen firearms had been used to shoot at cans in a back field, he contended that his client didnt’ pose any danger to the community. Lynch had also worked out resti­ tution to be paid by Nicholson, two adult co-accused and two young offenders. “This is a young man I think is not likely to be back in court.” Attorney for the Crown R.J. Guthrie argued that the rifles had been found in close proximity to a road. “Thus the potential for future harm to the public was very high,” he said. Also, as a gun was used to shoot the padlock of a cabinet and to the entrance of a gravel pit, the firearms were not used quite as innocently as Lynch had stated, Guthrie said. Judge Hunter was told that Nicholson had a prior conviction for possession of a firearm in 1997. He warned the accused that break- ing-in to someone’s home is a “serious offence’ that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. Howevc;, bearing in mind that Nicholson worked full-time, Hunter sentenced him to a total of six months,under house arrest. He received four months for the break- in of a house, two months consecu­ tive for a shed break-in and two months concurrent for the posses­ sion of restricted weapons. Christy Pardys passed her Chartered Accountant exam with flying colours. She is currently working at Ernest & Young in Waterloo. She is a graduate from Central Huron Secondary School and Wilfrid Laurier University. We're very proud of you! Love from your family. The conditions of house arrest mean that Nicholson can not leave his property for anything other than employment or medical. “Any breach of these conditions and rest assured in all likelihood you will complete the sentence in jail,” said Hunter. Upon completion of the sentence Nicholson is on probation for 12 months. He is also prohibited from owning any weapon for 10 years and must make restitution in the amount of $1,500. Chad Neville’s attorney said that while he was “certainly a player” his role was secondary. He asked Hunter to consider the early plea. Neville was on probation at the time of the offense. Hunter suspended passing of sen­ tence and placed Neville on 12 Teen in hospital On Dec. 19, at approximately 9:45 a.m. a citizen came across a single vehicle collision on Cone. 2- 3 of Hullett Twp., Clinton and Seaforth, one concession north of Hwy. 8. A 1993 Buick was eastbound when the driver lost control. The car rolled several times before ending up in the east ditch. Members of the Clinton/Seaforth Ambulance Service and the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department assisted the lone male occupant. The Thief takes bike On Dec. 13. at approximately 4:15 p.m. a bicycle was reported stolen from a residence on William Street in Bluevale. The owner advised that sometime during the night a Venture 21-speed black mountain bike was stolen from the family driveway. GRADUATION Christine Potter graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto on June 18, 1999. She has just passed her National Physiotherapy Exam! Proud are her parents Grace Groenveld of Blyth, Wayne Potter of Clinton and sister Kara-Lee of Goderich. She is now a Registered Physical Therapist at the Physiotherapy institute in Kitchener. Congratulations Christine! A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SEASON’S GREETINGS as we quickly approach this wondrous Christmas season there is the promise of a new millennium soon to unfold. The management and staff extend our warmest wishes to you, the community. Indeed, we thank everyone for the warmth and spirit shown to our Hospital over the past year and together look forward to a new year of peace, goodwill and happiness. Merry Christmas to one and all. A WARM WELCOME to Mary Branston, Medical Transcriptionist and Azetta Gibbons, File Clerk; both part time Health Records Staff. We also welcome from the Seaforth Medical Clinic, Kathy Munro,.Clinic Manager and Dr. Ann Bowdler. Looking forward to interacting with each of you. “MORNING OUT” New Parent Support Group please note there will be no sessions Friday, December 24th or December 31st due to the holidays. Sessions will resume Fri., January 7th. “The Canadian Family Guide to Stroke” perhaps you or a loved one has experienced the trauma of a stroke. There is a helpful paperback available in the Hospital Gift Shop that provides a wealth of information to help to cope with life changes resultant of stroke. It contains helpful charts, illustrations and personal stories of stroke survivors, prevention, treatment and recovery. It features current, easily understood information and is produced by the Can. Heart & Stroke Foundation. months probation. He too was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $1,500. Steven Patterson was described as having been “minimally involved. He had no prior record. He was given a suspended sentence and placed on 12 months probation!. He was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $500. Over 80 Several people appeared on drunk driving charges. Brian Jamieson of Wingham, who pled guilty to over 80 was charged in East Wawanosh Twp., Nov. 5. His breathalizer readings were both 210. He has no similar record. He was fined $750 and had his Clinton Fire Department had to extricate the driver from the vehicle. He was taken to the Clinton Public Hospital and was transferred to the London Health and Science Centre, South Street Campus where he is listed in critical condition. The driver was Brett Jewitt, 18, of Hullett Twp. Technical traffic collision investigators are on scene trying to determine the cause of the collision. Police said, speed was a major factor in the collision. ■-HEALTH ON THE HILLJ license suspended for one year. Julie Kikkert of RR3, Wingham was charged in Morris Twp. on Oct. 31. According to Guthrie, she had been speeding and as police followed her they observed some erratic driving. Her breathalizer readings were both 110. Kikkert asked the judge to con­ sider the fact that she was pleading guilty at her first appearance. “I know I did wrong, I’ve learned my lesson.” She was fined $750 and had her license suspended for one year. David Hamilton of Wellington Street, Listowel was charged Oct. 25. Police received a call from a landowner regarding a car that had driven into a farm field. The breathalizer readings were 300 and 290. Hamilton, who pled guilty will be sentenced Jan. 20. Marijuana possession A Grey Twp. man was fined $600 for marijuana possession. Kevin Lloyd Hall was charged in October after a search warrant was executed by police at his home. They found a tray of dried bud and bags of bud in the bedroom, a jar and a bag of a leafy substance, a vial, plant material, and baggie of marijuana in the kitchen. There were five plants hanging to dry in the shed and five stalks of bud in the barn. The total seizure said Federal Crown Mike Donnelly was about 2 1/2 pounds. Hall has four prior convictions, though the most recent was seven years ago. Forgery A London man got one day in jail and time served after pleading guilty to forgery. Guthrie said that Allan Creek had signed a cheque made out to him­ self with the name of his former employer in November, 1996. The accused blamed lack of employment and his personal life for not having paid back the $250. Guthrie said Creek had spent seven days in jail and asked for time served. Hunter added one more day. Fraud Shawn Yenssen of Thamesford pled guilty to fraud. The accused had purchased tires ifsing a false name and a stolen credit card. He is to be in Goderich court, Jan. 24 where he appears on other charges, with a receipt showing that the $465 has been paid. Defraud bank Donna Marie Johnston of RR3, Holyrood pled guilty to fraud. Guthrie said she had issued five cheques to the bank then used the ATM to withdraw $3,100. She continued to keep the account active, however so the bank has redeemed all but $173. Hunter suspended passing of<sen- tence and placed her on 12 months probation. She has 60 days to make restitution. Announcement The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce that Christine Carr, from Brussels has been awarded a Canada Millennium Scholarship in the amount of $3,000. for the 1999-2000 academic year. This scholarship, which originates in an initiative of the Government of Canada, is one of more than 75,000 awards, totalling more than $215,000,000. which the Foundation is making to young Canadians as part of Canada's celebration of the new Millennium. The awards represent an important investment in Canada's youth and are intended to help young Canadians acquire the knowledge and skills they require in order to participate in a changing economy. Christine graduated from The University of Windsor with an Honours BA in Visual Arts and Communication Studies. She is currently enrolled at the University of Ottawa going through Teacher's College. She would like to teach children from grades 4-8 after she graduates.