12 months in jail, minus time served, for wrong lane driver
Logan Sanders, 25, of Bloomfield, was handed 12 months in jail, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Oct. 3. He faced charges related to an accident caused by a wrong-lane driver on the Trans Canada Highway near Nackawic on April 26.
Judge Karen Lee also placed Sanders on 18 months of probation and prohibited him from driving for three years. She told the accused he should undergo a mental health assessment and seek treatment and mental health counselling. The court heard Sanders had no addiction issues but struggled with anger management and social anxiety.
Sanders pleaded guilty to indictable dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. He had no prior criminal record.
“I truly hope you get rehabilitation and counselling and make this a turning point in your life,” Judge Lee told the accused.
Lee said Sanders could have received a federal prison term for his crimes as outlined in the Criminal Code. She described his actions behind the wheel as a “complete disregard for life and safety,” which could have caused a head-on collision and death, including his own.
“His vehicle was akin to an indiscriminate weapon,” Lee told the court.
During an earlier hearing, a video of the accident was played as recorded by the dash cam of the eastbound vehicle Sanders met on the highway.
The court heard screams from inside the vehicle as it swerved to avoid Sanders in an oncoming car and then rolled over in a ditch on the four-lane highway at 5:46 p.m. A Plaster Rock woman and three youths were not injured.
“I heard the fear and upset in the voices of the other driver and her children,” Judge Lee stated. “They were in fear for their lives.”
Sanders continued at high speed and didn’t stop for the accident. The next morning, he was arrested near the Woodstock/Houlton border after being spotted driving a speeding car with a damaged front bumper in downtown Woodstock.
Sanders also pleaded guilty to committing mischief by damaging a woodstove, walls, door, and table at a residence on Dec. 1-31, 2023, in Bloomfield; guilty to two counts of uttering threats on Sept. 1, 2023, in Bloomfield; and guilty to mischief by damaging doors, windows, and the interior of a camp on Oct. 1-31, 2023, in Maple Ridge. Thousands of dollars in property damage was reported in the incidents.
Sanders received a suspended sentence and three months of probation (concurrent) for these offences. He was also ordered to follow a curfew for six months after his release. Sanders sat quietly during his sentencing and did not comment while being escorted back to jail by sheriffs.
Another charge of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim on Sept. 1, 2023, in Bloomfield was withdrawn by the crown. Sanders was remanded after the accident and denied bail on May 30.
Sentencing halted on drug charge
Bronwyn Barbara Thomas, 23, of Bloomfield, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Oct. 4 after changing her plea to guilty on a drug charge.
RCMP charged Thomas with attempting to possess methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with an incident on March 2, 2022, at a Canada Post Office near Centreville.
On Friday, Thomas advised Judge Cameron Gunn she wanted to halt her sentencing and withdraw her guilty plea. Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul then asked to be removed as solicitor of record.
Judge Gunn warned Thomas that her guilty plea had been entered, and she had already agreed to a statement of facts that was read into the record at her last court appearance. As a result of her request to withdraw her guilty plea, a joint submission on sentencing as proposed by the crown and defence counsel was cancelled.
Judge Gunn scheduled a hearing for Oct. 15 at 1 p.m., at which time Thomas must confirm new counsel and set a date for her application to present legal arguments to have her guilty plea reversed.
To do so, Thomas must prove she was unaware of the allegations and charges, that she was unaware of the effect and consequences of her guilty plea, that her plea was not made voluntarily, and that her plea was equivocal in nature.
Thomas said she intended to hire private counsel before the hearing.
Verdict pending in altercation with police
Tina Noella Albert, 53, of Upper Kintore, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 2 for the conclusion of her trial on three charges laid by RCMP. Judge Sebastian Michaud reserved his decision on a verdict until Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Albert was charged with resisting arrest, uttering threats, and assaulting a police officer concerning an incident on Oct. 4, 2022, at the Ultramar gas station in Carlingford.
Albert took the witness stand in her defence during the trial and denied all allegations. She said she drove to the Ultramar to find out about a possible car accident she thought might have involved her son.
She spoke to the female officer on the scene, and their conversation quickly erupted into an altercation. Albert admitted she knew and took issue with the female officer, who advised her son was not in an accident and that she should return to her car.
“The matter got out of hand and just kept snowballing,” Albert told Judge Michaud. “Just because you have a uniform, you don’t have a right to tell someone to go to their vehicle. There was no active investigation and she had no right to tell me to go to my vehicle.”
As a video of the incident was replayed in court, Albert contended she did not push the door of the police cruiser against the female officer’s foot. She said the door swung back as the officer got behind the wheel, so she moved the door away to avoid contact. Albert admitted to using foul language during the encounter, but testified she did not threaten to knock the officer’s “big teeth out.”
As for resisting arrest, Albert said the ring from her car keys got caught on the officer’s clothing. She “squirmed away” because she couldn’t get the key ring unhooked until another son arrived to help. Albert said she did not realize she was under arrest until the officer pulled out her handcuffs and laid her against the police car.
The court heard the officer suffered a cut finger while applying the handcuffs. Albert said her finger was also cut by her key ring. She argued the officer used excessive force while making the arrest and placing her in the police vehicle.
Crown Prosecutor Patricia Gillett told the court Albert had a history with the female officer involved and made it her mission to cause a problem.
“There was yelling from the beginning and Ms. Albert followed the officer to the police cruiser,” said Gillett. “Emotions were heightened and she made a threat that the officer took very seriously.”
The crown lawyer said the officer tried to ignore the accused and got in her police vehicle to leave when Albert gave a “purposeful push to the door.” The officer got out and placed Albert under arrest for assault. Following a brief scuffle, Albert submitted after her son suggested she should give up.
“Individuals need to know they cannot act this way toward police officers,” Gillett told the court. “They need to calm down if they are angry.”
In hearing the evidence, Judge Michaud told Albert she could have gone to her vehicle and avoided the situation, but she chose to stay and argue rather than leave.
At an earlier court appearance, Albert told the judge she had filed an official complaint against the police officer involved in the incident, which resulted in the officer’s transfer out of Perth-Andover.
Two charged in break-in
James Blair Hovey, 27, of Perth Andover, and Justin Ryan Shea, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 3 for their bail hearings on charges related to a break-in on Creighton Street.
Hovey was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Oct. 24 at 9:30 a.m. Shea was also released with conditions and returns for plea on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged them each with break-in and theft at a residence on Creighton Street on Sept. 26. Hovey was also charged with breach of probation, while Shea faced an additional charge of breaching an undertaking (curfew).
Shea will also appear in provincial court on Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two other charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was charged with mischief causing property damage, and break, enter and theft at the East Coast Truck Wash for an incident on March 17 in Lower Woodstock.
Hovey also appeared in provincial court on July 23 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for July 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Hovey with possession of a stolen vehicle and breach of probation stemming from an incident on Jan. 9 at Carlingford. He appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on May 21 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court. He was released with conditions at that time.
Hovey appeared in provincial court on April 30 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for May 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The RCMP charged him with possession of a stolen ATV, flight from police, and breach of probation concerning an incident on March 30 at Tobique Narrows.
Held for bail hearing
Riley Patrick Michaud, 21, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 3 and was remanded for a bail hearing on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. His bail hearing was scheduled for Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Michaud was charged with breaching a no-contact order involving a female complainant following an incident on Oct. 2 in Woodstock.
He is also scheduled to appear in provincial court on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a separate assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. Michaud was charged with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Aug. 21 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Sept. 24 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Arthurette man denied bail
Nicholas William Sutthery, 40, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Oct. 3 on charges laid by RCMP. He was denied bail and returns to court in custody for plea on Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Sutthery was charged by RCMP with three counts of uttering threats at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) on Sept. 25, assault with a weapon (ramming a vehicle), dangerous driving, break and enter at a dwelling house, and possession of a stolen ATV on May 27 in Perth Andover, and breach of an undertaking on July 16.
During an earlier court appearance, Sutthery was charged with possessing a stolen truck concerning an incident between Jan. 1 and 11 at Carlingford. He has a dated prior criminal record.
Released with conditions
Marc Morin, 24, of Aroostook, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 3 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Morin was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 1 for failing to appear in court. The RCMP charged him with possessing a stolen snowmobile and obstructing a police officer in connection with an incident on March 6, 2023, in Carlingford. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set.
On Oct. 1, he was also charged with breaching a release order by failing to appear for trial on July 15. He will reside at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation) until his next court appearance.
In custody awaiting plea
Edward Hayes Jr., 29, of Benton, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 3 for plea on several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Hayes was denied bail on Aug. 29. He was charged with refusing a breathalyzer demand, resisting arrest, assaulting two police officers, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, assault on a female victim, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and driving while prohibited in connection with an incident on Aug. 27 at Centreville.
Hayes also faces a separate charge of assault involving a female on June 17 at a residence in Centreville.
Denied bail on multiple charges
Erica Ann Trecartin, 28, of Lower Brighton, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Oct. 1. She was denied bail and returns to court in custody for plea on Oct. 22 at 11 a.m.
RCMP charged Trecartin with failing to appear in court on June 24 and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking concerning an incident in Grafton on Jan. 29.
Trecartin was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, driving while suspended, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving while prohibited, and breach of probation for an incident on Nov. 3, 2022. She pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set, but she failed to appear.
She was also charged with indictable breach of probation on Jan. 29, breaching an undertaking (curfew) on Feb. 24, and two counts of failing to appear in court on March 18 and April 9.
A co-accused Ronald McLaughlin, 33, of St. Stephen, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison on Aug. 12 after pleading guilty to five charges laid by RCMP.
McLaughlin appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 30. The RCMP charged him with dangerous driving, driving while suspended, and driving without insurance stemming from the same incident on Jan. 29 in Grafton. The court heard he was being held in custody on other charges in Saint John.
McLaughlin was also charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with the same incident in Grafton. On May 2, an additional charge was laid for failing to appear in court on March 5. He received 36 months in prison on the drug charge as well as additional jail time for the driving offences and failing to appear.
Decision reserved after trial
Matthew Eric Hughes, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m. for the continuation of his trial on a sex charge laid by RCMP. The decision was reserved for a verdict until Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Hughes with touching a minor for a sexual purpose and invitation to touching for a sexual purpose, stemming from an incident on Oct. 20, 2015, near Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty. The second charge was withdrawn at his court appearance on Oct. 2.
Charges result in peace bond, probation
Krista Lynn Turner, 43, formerly of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial on Oct. 2 and changed her plea to guilty on charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Turner was charged with assault and breach of a release order following an incident on Nov. 2, 2023, in Woodstock. She appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 3, 2023, and was released with conditions.
She was also charged with two other counts of breaching an undertaking on April 30, 2023, and Dec. 3, 2023. She received a suspended sentence and 18 months of probation on all four charges.
Turner was also charged with assault with a weapon (shards of glass) and breach of an undertaking concerning incidents on April 29, 2023, in Woodstock. She agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond and the trial did not proceed. The peace bond will result in the charges being withdrawn.
She appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 4, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. She was later taken back into custody. The court heard Turner was moving to Ontario to be with her family. The crown withdrew one other charge.
Woodstock man still in custody
Corey Andrew Lane, 39, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 3 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for monitoring until Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m. He waived his bail until later. The court heard a resolution may be sought with the crown on all charges.
Lane was charged on May 28 with prowling at night near a dwelling house on Main Street in Woodstock and breaching probation.
RCMP also charged him with uttering threats, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and breach of a no-contact order following an incident on July 18 at Jackson Falls.
Lane was also charged with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats and breach of a no-contact order for another incident on July 15. He appeared in court in custody on July 23 and waived his bail until later.
He also appeared in provincial court on May 21 and pleaded not guilty to other separate charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for June 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Lane was charged with assault involving a female victim on Jan. 1 at Newbridge, and breach of a no-contact order on Feb. 7 at Newbridge. He was also charged with failing to appear in court on March 5 and March 14, breaching an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on Feb. 7 at Newbridge and breaching a release order on April 23 at Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Trial rescheduled on sex charge
Matthew White, 42, of Upper Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 4 on a sex charge laid by RCMP. Testimony was ongoing as the trial unfolded on Friday.
White was charged with invitation to sexual touching involving a female minor in connection with an incident on June 3, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty.
Trial stalled on drug trafficking charge
Mohammed Karam Abualhawa, 24, of Fredericton, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 3 for monitoring about his trial on a drug trafficking charge. Due to an ongoing disclosure issue with the crown, another monitoring date was set for Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. His trial date of Oct. 16-18 at 1:30 p.m. remains in place.
Abualhawa was charged by RCMP with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking following an incident on Feb. 21, 2023, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). The charge was laid in connection with a search of a vehicle.
Jacksonville man pleads not guilty
Daniel Mark Perry, 35, of Jacksonville, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial on an assault charge.
Perry was charged by Woodstock Police with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Sept. 14 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Oct. 1. He was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant.
