PORT HARDY—Jerry Coburn appeared before the magistrate in Port Hardy to answer charges stemming from a robbery in the town in 2011.
The court heard that two males gained entry to Overwaitea in December of 2011 and over the course of three hours made off with $4,536 worth of meat, cigarettes and DVDs. The males were caught on surveillance cameras but wore masks and gloves to hide their identities.
Port Hardy RCMP received information from a confidential informant that implicated one of the men, with whom Coburn was staying with at the time.
On investigation, officers found stolen goods on the property including in Coburn's room and arrested one man who later confessed. The court heard that, although some goods were recovered, $1,011 of meat and $1,005 of cigarettes were unaccounted for.
Port Hardy RCMP contacted their colleagues in Campbell River to locate Coburn at an address in the town. Coburn was not present but officers tracked him to a second Campbell River address.
When officers went to the home Coburn fled out the back door and was able to elude officers.
His escape was short-lived however, as a foot patrol located the suspect outside the local VIRL branch two days later.
Searching the man, officers found drug paraphernalia, including syringes and a quarter-full pill bottle of what later turned out to be 7g of morphine with a street value of $1,400.
The judge accepted Crown's recommendations and handed down three days for morphine possession and a six month conditional sentence, one year's probation and $1,008 in reparations for the breaking and entering offence.
Joyride
Last week in Port Hardy Roy Hunt answered charges stemming from an attempted vehicle theft in the spring of 2012.
The court heard that the accused, along with another male, had been drinking when Hunt decided he wanted to go to either Vancouver or Victoria.
The pair then smashed two windows out of a Jeep in an apparent attempt to take the vehicle. The owner discovered his vehicle moved and responding RCMP officers detained Hunt and another man walking away from the Jeep.
Officers found wires pulled out under the steering column and the pair of accused had seemingly moved the vehicle in a failed attempt to jump-start it. RCMP members also discovered Hunt's credit card on the floor of the vehicle.
The court heard that the repair for the damage came to $900.
Crown counsel described the incident as "mindless vandalism. It is clear that what (Hunt) had in mind was to steal this truck."
Hunt was remorseful for his actions and informed Judge Sutton, presiding, that he would like the opportunity to apologize to the victim for his actions. In response to a question from the Judge, Hunt said that his grandmother was angry with him for his actions.
Citing Hunt's limited record and demeanor in court, Judge Sutton said that he sensed "a movement afoot" within Hunt. He sentenced Hunt to a year's probation, along with $450 restitution for the damage to the vehicle. In addition, he told Hunt to follow through and apologize to the victim and also to go in front of his Elders and apologize to them for his conduct.
The Judge then advised Hunt to heed his díi náan — the Haida word for grandmother — and asked if the word was the same locally. Counsel for the defense, Les Taylor, noted with a smile that it had been some time since he'd heard that word and informed the Judge that 'ada' was the Kwak'wala term.
"Be proud of who you are, be proud of your name, and stay out of trouble," the Judge told Hunt.