Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 10/02) - A 26-year-old man who has spent much of the last eight years in jail just wanted to be free. Instead, he'll spend another month in jail for breaking probation.

Travis Burke, of Yellowknife, was under a court order to reside in his girlfriend's home in Dettah and abstain from consuming alcohol.

Police obtained information from Burke's girlfriend on April 30 that she had not seen or heard from him since April 22. RCMP later received an anonymous tip stating Burke was staying on Bryson Drive and soon planned to leave Yellowknife. When the RCMP searched the residence in question they found Burke hiding under a stairwell. Court was told he smelled of alcohol when he was arrested.

In justice of the peace court Monday, Crown attorney Carolyn Carrasco said that Burke has an extensive criminal record. She said he was obviously hiding from police and should have informed them that he had changed his address.

Burke's defence attorney Tom Boyd said Burke had told the police upon his arrest that he "wasn't trying to do anything wrong" and "just wanted to stay free as long as (he) could."

He argued the convictions on Burke's record already added up to eight years which is a considerable portion of Burke's life since he is only 26. Boyd also stated Burke had an argument with his girlfriend in Dettah and she kicked him out. Justice of the Peace France Benoit agreed with Boyd that "this is a very sad case.

"It's obvious to me that you would want freedom," she said, considering the eight years of jail time on his record. However she said he should have informed police that he was residing at another location. She sentenced Burke to one month in jail.

Jail time for Nova Scotia man

A 20-year-old man from Kentville, Nova Scotia was sentenced to one day in jail and fined $100 Monday after breaking the terms of his probation.

Luke Brake failed to keep the peace and abstain from the use of alcohol on March 31 when police caught up with him staggering through downtown Yellowknife.

Brake moved to Yellowknife just three months ago in search of employment opportunities.

Territorial Judge Michel Bourassa warned Brake to stay away from alcohol.

Charge dismissed

A man accused of uttering threats to an employee of the NWT legislative assembly had the charge against him thrown out.

The 41-year-old appeared in court Feb. 22 at which time the charge was dismissed.

The case dated back to an incident on Oct. 5, 2001.