Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - An Aklavik man who was charged with breaking into the Northern Lites Motel last September and smashed a hotel employee's camera was sentenced in court June 1 to two months in prison.

Randell Conrad Tardiff, 29, was on probation at the time of the break-in and had failed to notify the RCMP that he had changed his address. He pleaded guilty to breaking his probation and to a charge of mischief for his conduct at the hotel. The Crown withdrew the breaking and entering charge.

On the night of the break-in, Tardiff was drinking with a friend who was a guest at the hotel, said defence lawyer Kelly Payne.

Payne said Tardiff had a persistent drinking problem and was prone to binge drinking.

At some point that night, he left the motel to get more alcohol. His friend locked the door to his room and passed out, locking Tardiff out.

"That is why Tardiff broke through the window," said Payne.

Another guest at the motel called the hotel clerk, who found Tardiff inside the room.When the clerk tried to photograph the damage, Tardiff "knocked the camera to the floor and stomped on it several times, essentially breaking it," Payne said.

The RCMP were called and removed Tardiff.

Payne said Tardiff has been "clean and sober" since Feb. 19 and that he "enjoys the amount of power and control he has on his life now." He also completed a six-week life recovery program with the Salvation Army.

"This is the longest time he's ever been sober," said Payne.

In addition to two months in jail, Tardiff was ordered to pay for the broken camera, valued at $350. He was also prohibited from going near the Northern Lites Motel for six months after his release.