SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A 29-year-old man was sentenced to six months in jail Tuesday for attempting to break into a residence in Old Town.
Police were alerted to the situation Jan. 11 when a resident on Latham Island's Mitchell Drive reported hearing a banging noise at a neighbouring house around 7 p.m. The noisemaker ran off after the resident called out "hello."
When officers arrived they found someone had broken into the side door. A set of footprints were discovered and police, with the assistance of a dog, followed them to a house in Ndilo where Christopher Abel was found.
Abel confessed to the crime that evening, saying he broke in looking for something to steal and sell. He later said he was heavily intoxicated and looking for warm clothing.
Abel read an apology letter to the court expressing his remorse for his actions. He apologized to the family who own the house. He has his own family, he said, and he wouldn't want someone to hurt them.
Abel said he recognizes that he needs to work on himself and work through the difficulties he faced in his past. Abel struggles with alcohol addiction and is a recovering crack-cocaine addict.
"I'm learning to forgive myself through counselling," said Abel, adding he is getting help from the Tree of Peace. "I need to respect myself, respect other people and respect their property."
Crown prosecutor Jeannie Wynne-Edwards suggested Abel receive a sentence of seven to nine months in custody for the crime. She noted that he has 28 previous convictions, 15 of which are for breaking and entering. And, she said, had the neighbour not intervened Abel would have gone into the house and potentially taken something.
Nonetheless, he should get credit for confessing very early on and pleading guilty, Wynne-Edwards added.
In making his decision, territorial court Judge Garth Malakoe considered alternative sentences but, given how many probation breaches the accused has, he determined he had to impose a jail term. Abel was sentenced to six months in jail with no probation.
