RCMP officer elects trial at King’s Bench
Woodstock RCMP Cpl. Andrew Whiteway will stand trial at the Court of King’s Bench by judge alone after pleading not guilty to assault.
Cpl. Whiteway was scheduled to be present in court on Nov. 27, but his lawyer, T.J. Burke, appeared for him. Judge Henrik Tonning told Burke that his client’s trial date would be set at the next Motion’s Day, scheduled for Jan. 2, 2025, at 9 a.m.
Whiteway was charged with aggravated assault for allegedly striking a woman in the face during an arrest in Richmond Corner on June 13. Police were called to a family disturbance in Richmond Corner when a female individual suffered serious injuries during an altercation.
The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), responsible for investigating matters involving police officers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, investigated the incident and laid the charge.
Whiteway has been temporarily reassigned to administrative duties until the case is resolved.
When the charge was filed, SiRT director Erin Nauss said the investigative team had reasonable and probable grounds to believe that an RCMP officer committed a criminal offence.
$2,000 fine, house arrest, and probation for Woodstock man
Myles Andrew Dymond, 50, of Woodstock, was fined $2,000 and placed on 30 days house arrest after pleading guilty to breaching a no-contact order and two counts of breaching an emergency intervention order. The charges were related to incidents between Aug. 19 and 21 and on Sept. 17 and 18 in 2023. Woodstock Police laid the charges.
Judge Sebastian Michaud sentenced Dymond in Woodstock Provincial Court on Nov. 27.
Dymond will be permitted to attend work during his house arrest but must follow a curfew. He was also sentenced to 12 months probation.
Other charges of assault, uttering threats, and transmitting intimate images without consent were withdrawn by the crown.
Dymond first appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 28, 2023, and was released with conditions. He was also charged with breaching an undertaking by failing to abide by a no-contact order following an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 26, 2023. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 24.
Three-day trial for Limestone man charged with attempted murder
Riley Cowper, 20, of Limestone, will return to Woodstock Provincial Court in March 2025 for a three-day trial for attempted murder. Cowper, who remains in custody after waiving bail, pleaded not guilty on Nov. 27 to the charge following an alleged violent attack against another local man.
RCMP charged Cowper after Rodney Butler was severely injured in a hammer and wrench attack. Cowper is also charged with causing property damage to a car window, uttering threats, and theft of a vehicle in connection with an incident on Aug. 10 at Jackson Falls.
The trial dates were set for March 3, 10, and 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Cowper was ordered to have no contact with Butler, who police said was treated at the hospital for injuries and later released.
Cowper is also facing a separate charge of assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022. That trial was adjourned to Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Cowper has a prior criminal record.
Fined $1,300 for impaired driving
Joshua Sebey, 26, of Perth-Andover, pleaded guilty to impaired driving when he appeared in provincial court on Nov. 27. He was fined $1,300 and prohibited from driving for one year.
Sebey was charged by RCMP after an accident on Sept. 3, 2023, near Aroostook. The court heard about a collision between a vehicle and Sebey’s side-by-side on Highway 2 around 10:30 p.m. There were no injuries. Sebey had no prior criminal record.
Arrested and released with conditions
Cole Wade Gray, 23, of Upper Kintore, appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 26 to face charges of unlawful entry to a dwelling house on March 23 in Plaster Rock and theft of lumber between July 21 and 23, 2023, in Johnville. RCMP laid both charges. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Jan. 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Gray also appeared in provincial court in custody on other separate charges in March and was released without conditions. RCMP charged Gray with breaching curfew and breaching a release order between Nov. 27 and Dec. 1, 2023, at Aroostook. He pleaded not guilty to both charges, and his trial date was also set for Jan. 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Wotstak man held for bail hearing
Mitchell McKenzie, 38, of Wostak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 25 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged McKenzie with assaulting another man with a weapon (a wooden pole) following an incident on July 24 at Wotstak. He was arrested on the weekend.
Tilley man changes plea
Todd Foote, 52, of Tilley, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 8 and changed his plea to guilty on one charge of driving without due care and attention related to an incident on Sept. 29, 2022, at Tilley.
The crown withdrew a second charge of dangerous driving, which RCMP laid. His sentencing date was set for Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Sentencing set for Centreville man
Brandon Jay Smith, 26, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 26 and pleaded guilty to charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was set for Jan. 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Smith appeared in court on April 4 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. RCMP charged him with breaking into a dwelling house and theft of firearms on July 3, 2023, in Summerfield. He was also charged with break, enter, and theft at a dwelling house, breaking into a garage, and theft of a trailer related to an incident on March 18 on the Back Greenfield Road.
The crown withdrew one charge.
Bath woman awaits sentencing
Delta Joy Bowmaster, 44, of Bath, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 25 and changed her plea to guilty on one charge laid by RCMP. Her sentencing date was set for Feb. 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Bowmaster was charged by RCMP with impaired driving, impaired driving causing bodily harm, and reckless endangerment involving a minor following an incident on May 11, 2023, at Odell.
The crown withdrew the original charges and replaced them with a charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm and driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.
Bowmaster pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol limit over the legal limit, and the remaining charge was withdrawn.
Facing fraud charge
Cindy Mean, 64, of Lower Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a fraud charge.
RCMP charged Mean with defrauding another person of a sum of money with a value not exceeding $5,000 in connection with incidents between Aug. 2 and Oct. 3, 2022, at Lower Brighton. She made her first court appearance on Nov. 19, when the matter was adjourned to a new date at the request of her defence counsel.
Nabbed for impaired
Carvell Weston, 57, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an impaired driving charge.
Woodstock Police charged Weston in connection with an incident on June 11 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Nov. 26, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Charged with uttering threats
Brandon Lee Kinney, 25, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to face a threat charge.
Woodstock Police charged Kinney with uttering threats stemming from an incident on July 19 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Nov. 26, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Held for bail hearing
Philip Sappier-Solomon, 31, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Nov. 27 and was remanded for a bail hearing on Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Sappier-Solomon was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim, assault by choking, mischief causing property damage (a phone), breach of peace bond, and breach of probation following an incident on Nov. 27 at Centreville. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant. He has a prior criminal record.
Plaster Rock man arrested
Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Nov. 27 and was remanded for a bail hearing on Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Sullivan was charged with assaulting another man and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Nov. 23 at Plaster Rock and Gladwyn. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Sullivan has a prior criminal record.
Sentence pending for assault
Roger Powers, 62, of Wapske, appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 27 after pleading not guilty to sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to common assault, and the crown withdrew the sex charge.
RCMP charged Powers with an incident in Plaster Rock on June 3, 2023. His sentencing was set for Feb. 21, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Alleged invasion of privacy
Dale Boyle, 70, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. to answer one charge laid by RCMP.
Boyle was charged with making a visual recording of another person without their consent when there was a reasonable expectation for privacy for an incident between Feb. 1 and Aug. 10 at Plaster Rock. He appeared in court on Nov. 26 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Trafficking charge laid
Timothy Thibodeau, 42, of Glassville, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP.
Thibodeau was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, uttering threats on Sept. 4, 2023, at Hartland, and failing to appear in court on Oct. 24. He appeared in court in custody on Nov. 4. He was released with conditions of an order to report to the police weekly.
Woodstock woman to enter plea
Lisa Barrett, 49, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to answer two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Barrett was charged with uttering threats and obstructing the course of justice for an incident on Aug. 24 at Wicklow. She was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
Incident in Debec
Delta Foster, 27, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Foster was charged with two counts of uttering threats and mischief causing property damage to a TV concerning an incident in Debec on Aug. 5.
Limestone woman charged
Brandi Cowper, 46, of Limestone, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by RCMP.
Cowper was charged with obstructing the course of justice concerning an incident on Aug. 10 in Jackson Falls. She was scheduled to attend court on Nov. 26 and did not appear but was represented by defence counsel.
Wicklow man awaiting plea
Logan Cote, 24, of Wicklow, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to answer to a charge of assault laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
The charge involves a female victim related to an incident on March 20 at Wicklow.
Trial date pending
Thomas Corey, 38, of Lansdowne, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial.
Woodstock Police charged Corey with impaired driving following an incident on May 20 in Woodstock. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Nov. 26.
Returning for plea
Regis Bowmaster, 31, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 for plea on three charges. The matter was adjourned to Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Bowmaster appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Nov. 4 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged him with two counts of breaching a release order and possession of methamphetamine concerning an incident on Oct. 23 at Pembroke.
He also appeared in provincial court on July 16 and pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for June 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. and June 12-13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Bowmaster was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest concerning an incident on Jan. 4 at Bairdsville. He was also charged with possession of a prohibited weapon (a sawed-off shotgun), improper storage of a firearm, possession of a stolen ATV, and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a gun for another incident on May 27 at Perth-Andover.
Charges withdrawn
Jerod Nowlan, 40, of Rosedale, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to monitor about his trial on three firearm charges. The crown withdrew the charges, and the trial was cancelled.
Nowlan was initially charged with possession of a firearm without a licence (a rifle), improper storage of a firearm, and possession of a gun with the serial number altered, concerning an incident on July 27, 2023, at Rosedale. He pleaded not guilty.
Guilty on multiple charges
Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 27 and changed his plea to guilty to multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Whitney appeared in court in custody by video on Aug. 26 and was denied bail. He pleaded guilty to forging a doctor’s prescription for Dilaudid on July 30 in Woodstock, guilty to causing property damage to a dwelling house on Slipp Street, guilty to uttering threats, and breach of probation on July 14.
He also pleaded guilty to a separate theft charge under $5,000 for an incident on Dec. 17, 2023, at Madawaska First Nation. The crown withdrew two other charges of fraud and using counterfeit money (a $100 American bill) on Jan. 1 in Newbridge.
Whitney pleaded not guilty to other charges of assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and breach of probation on Aug. 24 in Woodstock, and assault with a weapon (a torch) involving a female victim between July 1-28 in Woodstock. His trial date was set for Jan. 22, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. He had a limited prior criminal record.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Brian Spike of Juniper after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on Nov. 26.
Spike was released from custody with conditions following a bail hearing on Nov. 4. He was charged with pointing a firearm at another man and assault with a weapon (a shotgun) stemming from an incident on Oct. 31 at Juniper. As part of his release order, he was ordered to follow a curfew and have no firearms in his possession.
Summerfield man to enter plea
Michael Evan Shellard, 33, of Summerfield, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to enter a plea on multiple charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Shellard appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
He was charged with discharging a firearm with intent, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Nov. 5 at Summerfield. He was also charged with assault and assault by choking involving a female victim for another incident on Nov. 3 at Summerfield.
Newbridge man fined $1,040
Bernard Murray Turner, 38, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 27 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Turner pleaded guilty to driving while suspended in Woodstock on Oct. 9, 2021. Judge Henrik Tonning fined him a total of $1,040. Turner had a prior criminal record.
He also returns to court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on other matters. He was charged by Woodstock Police with fraud under $5,000, uttering a forged document and possession of stolen property (a cheque) for an incident on Aug. 3, 2023, in Woodstock.
He also faces a charge of flight from police for an incident on Feb. 16. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Released on an undertaking
Derek Oliver, 34, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to answer one charge laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Oliver was charged with breaking and entering a garage in Hartland on Aug. 9. He was released on an undertaking and ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Trial set for Neqotkuk man
Jerico Perley, 21, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 8, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to eight charges laid by RCMP.
Perley was charged with assault with a weapon involving a female victim, two counts of uttering threats, possession of a prohibited weapon (a guard dog baton/taser) without a licence, possession of a firearm (shotgun) without a licence, assault, assault by choking, and improper storage of a firearm following an incident on Sept. 15 at Neqotkuk.
Perley appeared in court in custody in September and was released with conditions. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Nov. 26.
Lakeville man has property charge
Gregory Kelly, 52, of Lakeville, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by RCMP.
Kelly was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle in relation to an incident on Aug. 4 at Lakeville. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Nov. 26.
Plea adjourned on two charges
Dynielle Allison Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Nov. 29 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Demerchant was charged with identity theft (cards) and possession of methamphetamine concerning an incident on May 2 in Woodstock. She appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 4 and was released with conditions.
Demerchant was also charged by Woodstock Police with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon (a switchblade) in connection with an incident on Dec. 22, 2022, in Woodstock. She entered her not-guilty plea at a court appearance on March 12.
On Nov. 1, her defence counsel told the court a resolution was pending on the trial matter, but Demerchant did not appear to deal with the charges, and a warrant was issued.
Awaiting trial on two charges
Riley Patrick Michaud, 21, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on May 2, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Michaud appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 8 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with breaching a no-contact order involving a female complainant following an incident on Oct. 2 in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assault involving a female victim in connection with another incident on Aug. 21 in Woodstock.
Crown stays trafficking charges
The crown stayed drug trafficking charges laid against two women from Grand Falls when they appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26
Lori Guest and her daughter, Amber Gaunce, were each charged by RCMP with possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, nabilone, clonazepam, and magic mushrooms, all for the purpose of trafficking in connection with an incident on March 2, 2023, in Grand Falls.
Guest changed her plea to guilty on the trafficking charges, and Gaunce pleaded guilty to one count of possession of magic mushrooms.
Their sentencing was cancelled, and their guilty pleas were withdrawn with the consent of both the crown and defence counsel. The stay of proceedings means the charges will not move forward.
Newburg man awaiting plea
Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. Bull is charged with aggravated assault and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 8 at 2 a.m. when a man suffered a broken elbow after being struck by a bat on St. James Street in Woodstock. The alleged victim was a newcomer to the town for only three days. The matter was adjourned until Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Bull appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 9 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Bull was ordered to reside at a residence in Newburg. He must have no contact with the complainant, stay away from St. James Street, and have no weapons in his possession.
Facing fraud charge
Anita Albert, 51, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 and pleaded not guilty to a fraud charge. She returns to court on Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
RCMP charged Albert with defrauding the Timbertown Lounge during an incident on Sept. 11, 2022, in Plaster Rock.
Hartland man awaiting plea
Braeden Paul Thornton, 28, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Thornton appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 16 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Thornton was arrested by RCMP on Thanksgiving weekend on charges of breaching a peace bond, uttering threats, assault, assault by choking, theft, and breaching an undertaking. He was remanded to await his bail hearing.
Glassville man gets trial date
Adam Luc Joseph Thibodeau of Glassville appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for July 28, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Thibodeau is charged with possessing a stolen vehicle and a stolen licence plate in connection with an incident on April 9 in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking until his trial. A monitoring date was also set for Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Awaiting trial on multiple charges
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 21, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hillman was not in court on Nov. 26, and his defence counsel entered his plea. A warrant will be kept on file until his monitoring date on Feb. 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Hillman was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on Sept. 16 in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions. His trial was set for Aug. 21.
He was also charged with driving while prohibited on Feb. 12 in Woodstock and mischief causing property damage to a truck on Feb. 16 in Woodstock. His trial was set for Sept. 5.
Hillman also appeared in provincial court on July 23 and pleaded not guilty to a charge related to a break-in at the tourist bureau at Richmond Corner. His trial date was set for June 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Michael Holt, 68, of Riverglade, also appeared in provincial court on July 23 to answer a charge stemming from the same break-in. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
The pair was charged by RCMP with break, enter and theft in connection with an incident on Feb. 19.
Plaster Rock man charged with assault
Philip Campbell, 34, of Plaster Rock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge.
Campbell was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Oct. 6 at Perth-Andover. He was scheduled for plea on Nov. 26 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
East Brighton man awaiting plea
Ozzie Jr. Trecartin, 30, of East Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to answer three charges laid by RCMP.
He was charged with impaired driving and two counts of driving while suspended on July 21 in Peel. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Nov. 26, but the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
Trecartin appeared in provincial court on Oct. 29 for plea on several other charges related to an alleged attempted murder in East Brighton. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial dates were set for Oct. 16-17, 2025, and Oct. 20, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Trecartin appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 30 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was ordered to have no firearms in his possession. He must also have no contact with the alleged victim.
RCMP charged Trecartin with attempted murder, reckless discharge of a firearm at a place while a person was inside, two counts of indictable assault against another man, uttering threats, resisting arrest, possession of a firearm without a licence, and storage of multiple guns in a careless manner following an incident on July 21 at East Brighton.
Not-guilty plea for Neqotkuk man
Thomas Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for May 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Perley was charged with refusing a breathalyzer and leaving the scene of an accident stemming from an incident on March 29 at Neqotkuk. A monitoring date for his trial was also set for Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Multiple trial dates
Bonnie Noel, 55, of Jacksontown, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 4, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. after being found guilty of assault.
Noel appeared for trial in provincial court on two charges on Oct. 28. She was charged by RCMP with assault on a male victim and resisting arrest, stemming from an incident on Jan. 19 near North Lake. Judge Karen Lee found Noel guilty of assault but not guilty of resisting arrest.
Noel appeared in provincial court on Oct. 1 and pleaded not guilty to three more charges laid by RCMP. Her trial date was set for Aug. 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Noel was charged with assault, breaching an undertaking, and breaching a peace bond for an incident on Aug. 6.
Noel was also charged with breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Feb. 18 at Canterbury, breach of an undertaking (no contact) and breach of curfew on April 1 at North Lake, and breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Jan. 21 at North Lake.
She pleaded not guilty, and more trial dates were set for March 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and June 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. On Nov. 26, she confirmed she had legal counsel to proceed to trial.
Warrant issued for Woodstock woman
The court issued an arrest warrant for Elisha Dawn Stairs, 44, of Woodstock, after she failed to appear in provincial court on Nov. 25 for her trial.
Stairs was charged by RCMP with refusing a breathalyzer demand and impaired driving, stemming from an incident on May 11 near Hartland. She pleaded not guilty in September 2023.
Accused of curfew breach
Catherine Polchies, 46, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to face a charge of breaching her curfew. The matter was adjourned until Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Polchies was charged in connection with an incident on March 7 at Wotstak. She also appeared in provincial court in February and pleaded not guilty to other multiple charges. Trial dates were set for Jan. 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and Feb. 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Polchies appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 7 and was released with conditions after spending a few days in jail. She was arrested on a warrant after she failed to appear in court for plea on Jan. 2.
She also faces charges of breaching a release order and possession of stolen property on Feb. 1 and several firearm offences for an incident on Nov. 11, 2023, in Woodstock.
Polchies appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 15, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. She was charged under the Fish and Wildlife Act with discharging a firearm too close to a dwelling house and not wearing hunter orange following an incident on Sept. 27, 2022, at Lower Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty at her court appearance on Feb. 27.
Woodstock man awaiting plea
Patrick Rattray, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 to answer four new charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Rattray was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, assault by choking, uttering threats and failing to provide the necessities of life in connection with incidents between Jan. 1 and Feb. 9 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 10 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Woodstock Police charged Rattray with breaching a peace bond, uttering threats, assault, and mischief in connection with an incident on Oct. 9 in Woodstock.
Neqotkuk man to stand trial
Bronson Paul of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Nov. 26 for monitoring about his trial after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Oct. 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Paul was charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on May 10 at Neqotkuk. On Nov. 26, he confirmed he has legal counsel to proceed to trial.
Sentenced postponed
John Long, 34, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 26 for sentencing on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. The sentencing was adjourned until Jan. 13, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Long appeared in court on Jan. 12 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. He was charged with two counts of breaching a release order and breach of probation concerning a Jan. 5 incident in Woodstock.
He changed his plea to guilty to one charge of breaching his release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet), and the other two charges were withdrawn by the crown. The court heard one other mischief charge is being transferred from Edmundston in relation to property damage at the jail.
Charged in police stand-off
Travis Terrance McDougall, 32, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 25 for plea on charges of uttering threats and obstruction police laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
The charges are in connection with a stand-off on Nov. 2 when an individual barricaded himself inside a residence in Woodstock.
McDougall appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Sentenced to 60 days in jail
Nicholas Paul, 47, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was sentenced to 60 days in jail when he appeared in court in custody by video on Nov. 26. He was also placed on 12 months of probation and ordered to seek counselling for addiction.
Paul pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen vehicle and two counts of possession of a stolen licence plate in connection with an incident on June 5, 2023, at Perth-Andover. He is currently in custody to finish serving a conditional sentence order behind bars after admitting to breaching his house arrest on Sept. 26.
His wife, Jennifer Louise Paul, 45, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 21 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
At an earlier court appearance, Jennifer Paul waived her bail until later. She admitted to breaching her house arrest on Sept. 26. Her conditional sentence order was revoked, and she was remanded to finish her sentence in custody.
Jennifer Paul was also charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property (cash), possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried it a gun for an incident on Sept. 25 at Neqotkuk. She will make her plea on Dec. 5.
Nicholas Paul also appeared in court in custody by video on Nov. 21. He was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of stolen property (cash) for an incident on Oct. 23 at Neqotkuk. He will return to court in custody on Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m. for plea.
At the time of their arrest, they were each charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking for an incident on Oct. 23 at Neqotkuk.
Jennifer Paul was also charged with breach of a release order (no weapons), possession of a stolen licence plate, and possession of a prohibited weapon (a collapsible baton) without a licence on Oct. 23 at Neqotkuk.
Nicholas Paul was also charged with breach of a release order and driving while prohibited on Sept. 22-24 at Neqotkuk, breach of a release order (no drugs), possession of ammunition while prohibited, and possession of a stolen licence plate on Oct. 23 at Neqotkuk. He will return to court in custody for plea on Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m.
The couple appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 16 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing electronic monitoring devices attached to their ankles. They were rearrested a week later.
Charges transferred to Ontario
Two Polish immigrants appeared in provincial court in Woodstock by video on Nov. 26 and pleaded guilty to charges laid by RCMP. They were assisted in the proceedings by a Polish interpreter.
Jan Kaminski, 53, and Monika Kwiatkowska, 44, of Etobicoke, Ontario, were jointly charged by RCMP with four counts of theft. They were released from custody on July 25 on a $1,000 bail bond and ordered to immediately return to their Ontario residence under house arrest.
On Nov. 26, their legal counsel requested that the charges be transferred to Ontario. A monitoring date was set for Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to ensure the transfer occurs.
The theft charges were laid following a series of shoplifting incidents at Best Home Hardware stores in Florenceville-Bristol and Hartland on March 5, at Best Home Hardware in Florenceville-Bristol on July 3, and at Brennan Home Hardware in Florenceville-Bristol on July 20.
During their court appearance on Sept. 19, a new charge of breaching a release order was laid against each of them for failing to report to the police.
Kaminski and Kwiatkowska were arrested for numerous thefts in New Brunswick and across Canada, including Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.
They allegedly advertised items for sale online via Facebook Marketplace and on Amazon. Once an interested buyer was identified, the two accused made a list of items and stole them from different businesses. They would then immediately ship the items to the buyer. Police are actively working to determine if there were other victims.
