Skip to content

B&E and sexual interference nets jail time

Following a pre-sentence hearing for Port Hardy's Donald C. Walkus on counts of breaking and entering and sexual interference, Crown and defence counsel made a joint submission for three-year prison sentences on both counts Mar. 17 in Port Hardy.

Following a pre-sentence hearing for Port Hardy's Donald C. Walkus on counts of breaking and entering and sexual interference, Crown and defence counsel made a joint submission for three-year prison sentences on both counts Mar. 17 in Port Hardy.

Judge Brian Saunderson would not have it.

"I do not have confidence he can drink and not offend," Saunderson said of Walkus. "He is a danger to the community, and a danger particularly to young girls. I do not accept the recommendation. I cannot live with the thought of such a short sentence."

Saunderson instead issued five-year prison sentences for each count, in addition to six months for assault and one-month sentences each for two counts of breach. The sentences will run concurrently, after which Walkus will serve three years probation with a prohibition on attendance anywhere children are present.

Walkus entered a guilty plea Nov. 30 after his arrest for entering a residence and inappropriately touching a young girl who was sleeping at the time.

"This is Mr. Walkus's fourth conviction on sexually related charges" dating to 1989, Crown counsel John Blackman said. "The sentence should emphasize denunciation of conduct and protection of the public."

Jail for knife attack

Benjamin Beans of Alert Bay will serve two years less a day, in addition to time served, after entering a guilty plea Mar. 16 for aggravated assault on Norman Wadhams of Alert Bay.

The incident occurred Sept. 17, 2010, during a party at an Alert Bay residence. Wadhams suffered a puncture wound to the chest and a slash to the wrist when he tried to defend himself from a second attack. He was originally taken to hospital in Alert Bay before  being flow to Vancouver, where he spent three days in hospital.

Defence counsel Jordan Watt said his client could offer no reason for the attack.

Judge Saunderson added three years probation and a 10-year weapons ban to Beans' sentence, as well as a no-contact order with the victim. He was particularly concerned about Beans' intent to return to Alert Bay upon his release and emphasized a drug and alcohol prohibition throughout the probation period.

"I warn you, Mr. Beans, stay away from Mr. Wadhams," Saunderson said. "If you do not, you will be arrested and back before the court. You must not drink, or you will be back before the court. And I can assure you the sentence will be stiff."

Sentencing delayed

The scheduled sentencing hearing David Mayea of Port McNeill on four counts of sexual interference was rescheduled to allow families of the victims to attend.

The hearing, originally scheduled for Mar. 16 in Port Hardy, has been moved to Mar. 29.

"This is spring break, and some of the parents of the children have made other scheduling arrangements," Crown counsel Blackman said.

Mayea plead guilty Oct. 21, 2010 to the four counts of sexual interference against children who attended his wife's home day care in July of 2009.