Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 16/04) - A 21-year-old woman who went on a two-day crime spree to feed a crack habit got her wish this week: time in jail.

Choking back tears during her appearance in territorial court Wednesday, Toni Lynn Buggins pleaded guilty to 12 charges, including four counts of theft and three of credit card fraud.

"I sincerely feel regretful and remorseful," said Buggins.

She asked Judge Brian Bruser to sentence her to a substantial jail term so she could get treatment for her addiction.

"I want the real me back," she said.

Buggins was arrested by police on April 6 following a crime spree that saw her steal four purses -- two from the YK Inn and two from the NorthwesTel building -- and pay for a series of hotel rooms with stolen credit cards.

Following her arrest, Buggins, who was seven weeks pregnant at the time, spent 10 days in a holding cell at the Yellowknife RCMP detachment.

Buggins developed an infection while in custody and was taken to Stanton Territorial Hospital for treatment. Buggins later fled the hospital.

An accomplice held an elevator door open while she ran from her room. Police arrested Buggins and a man a few hours later at downtown apartment complex.

In court Wednesday, a jittery and teary-eyed Buggins, waived her right to have a lawyer and agreed to plead guilty to 12 of the 13 charges presented by the Crown. She had yet to receive disclosure -- or the Crown's evidence against her -- in at least one of the cases.

Bruser said crack cocaine is becoming an increasingly serious problem in Yellowknife.

"In 1986 (the city) didn't see any cocaine," said Bruser.

"Now the social dynamics here are changing and not entirely for the better.

"Far too often (crack-cocaine addicts) prey upon others. They lie, they cheat, they deceive. They care about nothing except their quick fix."

Bruser sentenced Buggins to five months in jail for the thefts and frauds and one month for escaping lawful custody. He also put Buggins on probation for two years following her release.