Shelter smasher gets fines, probation
Man broke windows at Salvation Army in fit of rage, will need to work off damage
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Friday, March 28 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A man who smashed windows at the Salvation Army's men's shelter was - instead of jail time - sentenced to 18 months probation, fined and ordered to work off the damage he did on Wednesday.
The 47-year-old pleaded guilty to the mischief charge stemming from the incident, as well as two counts of breaching court orders and an assault charge - all which were separate incidents.
Crown prosecutor Jennifer Mickelson said the offender was angered after being denied leftover dinner at the Salvation Army.
She said the man showed up at the shelter the evening of Oct. 30 for dinner. He returned around 8:30 p.m. when the shelter serves snacks, but asked for leftover dinner instead.
When the staff refused, he swore at them, calling them "greedy," the court heard.
He left the shelter, turning and spitting on the glass door. The offender then smashed the glass door, afterwards picking up an object and smashing an office window.
It's estimated he caused $1,255 in damage to the shelter. He was co-operative and apologetic when RCMP arrived, Mickelson added.
The Crown asked the courts to impose a 15 to 30 day jail sentence for the
mischief charge, but Chief Judge Robert Gorin refused, saying he was "far from convinced" Goose deserved jail time.
Defence lawyer Caroline Wawzonek said her client has been making amends with Salvation Army staff and hopes to work off the damage he did. She added he's also helped out at the day shelter and often does work around town shovelling snow. The man has a small and dated criminal record, with his last conviction in 2006 for assault.
The offender was also sentenced for breaching court orders to report to the RCMP and abstain from alcohol, for which he was fined $200. He was fined a further $300 for an assault he committed in 2012.
Gorin ordered a further $500 fine for the mischief charge. As part of his 18-month probation order, the man is required to complete 75 hours of community service, which the courts recommend be done to the benefit of the Salvation Army.
After waiving victim of crime surcharges on two of the man's convictions which occurred prior to Oct. 24, Gorin paused, saying "I don't have any choice" but to impose surcharges on his other two crimes, giving him six months to pay the $200 fine.
The Conservative government made victim of crime surcharges mandatory on Oct. 24, forcing judges to impose the fine, which was often waived in the past if the victim had displayed any kind of financial hardship.
