Yellowknife (Feb 13/04) - A Fort Smith man will spend the next few months in a federal prison for a series of crimes committed in Yellowknife.

Edward Bourke, 39, was given 30 days for possession of stolen property, 15 months consecutive for uttering death threats, four months concurrent for escaping lawful custody and five months consecutive for possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Judge Michel Bourassa told the court he was not impressed with Bourke's record, which dates back to 1980. "Almost every year he's had a conviction," he said.

"Society has had to bear the burden of this man's crimes."

The court heard from the Crown of how, on Nov. 3, 2002, Bourke was found wearing a pair of shoes earlier stolen from Wal-Mart.

On Nov. 14, 2003, he entered the Corner Mart, bought food and then wanted a refund before being refused entrance to the washroom.

Bourke was then said to have shown the end of the .22 calibre-pellet gun and threatened the clerk by telling him he was going to shoot him in the head.

The next day, he escaped RCMP custody during transport from the Yellowknife courthouse cells.

He was captured minutes later in the washroom of a downtown bar.

Bourke, a self-confessed crack addict, apologized to the court, blaming his drug addiction.

"I'm happy I'm in jail because I'm healthier in there," Bourke said.