Guilty on two of 12 charges
Judge Sebatian Michaud found Christopher Hazen Hamilton, 50, of Woodstock, guilty of one count of assault on a female victiom and mischief causing property damage when he appeared in provincial court on July 17 after his trial on multiple charges related to allegations of domestic violence.
Hamilton will be sentenced on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Hamilton faced 12 charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was found not guilty after trial on seven charges, while three charges of uttering threats were dismissed with a directed verdict of not guilty due to a lack of evidence.
He was charged with assault involving a female victim, assault by choking, uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a broken teacup) and attempting to cause injury and suffering to a dog, concerning incidents between Jan. 1 and May 24, 2024, in Woodstock.
A former girlfriend testified Hamilton grabbed her by the hair, punched and head-butted her and then threw her on the floor and urinated on her. He was found guilty of assault for the attack. A series of photos was entered into evidence by the crown.
Hamilton was also charged with assaulting a female victim, and mischief causing property damage on May 25, 2024, and assaulting a female victim and assault with a weapon (a cigar) on May 26, 2024. The alleged incidents occurred in Woodstock.
He was found guilty on the mischief charge for burning two camp chairs in a campfire on the Simcox Road on May 25, 2024.
During the trial, Judge Michaud heard testimony from police officers and the female victim who described details of domestic abuse. However, the judge noted the woman often hesitated during her testimony. She had trouble recalling dates and times and lacked details about specific incidents.
“Her testimony was tenuous at times,” Judge Michaud stated.
Hamilton testified at the trial and denied all the allegations. He spent several days in remand after his arrest. He appeared in custody by video on June 10, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released from custody with conditions. His sentencing date was set for October to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report and victim impact statement.
House arrest, probation for fraud
Beverley Dawn Kenneson, 55, of Greenfield, received three months of house arrest and 12 months of probation when she appeared in provincial court on July 18 for sentencing on a fraud charge laid by RCMP.
Kenneson was charged with defrauding Smith Drugs Ltd., stemming from incidents between July 11 and July 23, 2022, in Florenceville-Bristol. She pleaded guilty to the fraud, and the crown withdrew a theft charge.
“I’m disappointed that you felt entitled and did not use better judgment in that moment,” Judge Karen Lee told the accused. “It’s landed you in this circumstance. You are fortunate you have not lost your job, most people do. I absolutely could have sent you to jail.”
Judge Lee also fined Kenneson $100 and ordered her to attend mental health counselling. She must have no contact with the drug store or its owner and was prohibited from communicating or making comments online about the store or the owner. Kenneson had no prior criminal record.
The court heard Kenneson was a long-time employee at the store in charge of inventory and pricing. She had access to the store’s computer system and altered inventory and sales records to obtain products for her own personal use without paying for them. She kept a stash of the miscellaneous items she collected in a box under her desk.
During a two-week period, she had under $200 worth of merchandise in her possession when she was reported by a co-worker and fired by the store’s new owner. The court heard that she is now employed by the store’s former owner, who often gave her free items.
Bail hearing adjourned
Loic Boulay, 22, of Oromocto, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 17 for a bail hearing on five charges laid by Woodstock Police. His bail hearing was adjourned until July 24 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Boulay was charged with breaching a no-contact order, unlawful confinement, assaulting a female victim, assault by choking and uttering threats for an incident on July 15 in Northampton. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
He also appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to the two additional charges laid by the Woodstock Police. His trial was set for May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Boulay was charged with breaching a no-contact order and breaking into a residence on St. John Street on May 25 in Woodstock. The crown withdrew another charge of mischief.
Arrested and released
Earl James Demerchant, 35, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 17 after being arrested on a warrant by Woodstock Police. He pleaded guilty to several charges and was released with conditions until his sentencing on Aug. 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant pleaded guilty to uttering threats against another man on May 4 in Woodstock; guilty to breaching an undertaking on March 8; and guilty to assaulting police, resisting arrest and breach of probation on Jan. 19 in Woodstock. Another charge of breach of probation on Nov. 3, 2024, in Waterville was withdrawn by the crown.
Hearing adjourned
Caleb Crain, 40, of Piercemont, appeared in provincial court on July 18 for a hearing about his application to withdraw his guilty plea. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 20 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for testimony from his legal counsel.
Crain appeared for sentencing in provincial court on April 9 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until after the hearing about his request could be held.
Crain was charged with assault causing bodily harm to a female victim, unlawful confinement, and uttering threats following an incident on Dec. 10, 2022, near Florenceville-Bristol.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of common assault and guilty to uttering threats. The crown withdrew the confinement charge. The court heard the crown was seeking a three-month jail sentence for Crain.
Crain also appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on June 20 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on May 29. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on June 23 and was released with conditions.
Crain was arrested by Woodstock Police and charged with carelessly transporting a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence (a semi-automatic rifle), and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, following an incident on June 19 in Woodstock. He was waiting to enter his plea later on Friday afternoon.
Sentencing delayed
Amber Dawn Shaw, 35, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Aug. 1 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.
Shaw was charged with obstructing police, fraudulent impersonation and breach of probation following an incident on June 22, 2024, in Upper Woodstock. Her sentencing was set for July 17, but was adjourned to allow for the submission of a reference letter from her employer.
In custody for bail hearing
Justin Jones, 24, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 17 for a bail hearing on multiple charges laid by RCMP. The hearing was adjourned until July 24 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Jones was arrested on a warrant. He was charged with assaulting a woman with a wooden stick and assault causing bodily harm for an incident on Feb. 5 in Piercemont; possession of a firearm without a licence (a 12-gauge, pump action shotgun), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, uttering threats, breaching a no-contact order, and resisting arrest on July 9 at Beechwood. He remains in custody.
Awaiting trial date
Daniel Jr. Constandinides, 19, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on July 17 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP. He returns to court on Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 12 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged Constandinides with theft of a Canada Post vehicle, theft of mail, and theft of a firearm on March 27 at Perth-Andover. He was also charged with two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) and committing mischief causing property damage to a door for another incident on March 15 at Perth-Andover.
Constandinides was also charged with breaching an undertaking and obstructing police in an incident on March 23 in Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty on all counts.
In custody in Quebec
Austin Aubin, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court via teleconference on July 17 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The court heard he was in custody in Quebec, so his plea was adjourned until July 24 at 10:30 a.m.
Aubin was charged with breaching a no-contact order on April 28 in Aroostook. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on April 29. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
At the time of his release, Aubin was residing at a residence in Campbellton. He was arrested on the alleged breach of his release order on April 29.
Aubin was also charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, breach of probation, unsafe storage of a firearm, and possession of a firearm without a licence concerning a March 27 incident at Neqotkuk.
Agreed to peace bond
Jorge Heinz Fenske, 56, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court on July 18 for the continuation of his trial on several charges laid by the RCMP. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed. The peace bond will result in the charges being withdrawn.
Fenske was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom), and unlawful confinement for an incident on Nov. 16, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was also charged with assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats and taking a vehicle without consent following an incident on Dec. 10, 2024, at Wotstak. These charges were withdrawn. He must have no contact with the complainant.
He was also charged with breaching an undertaking (no-contact order) in connection with an incident on Feb.1 at Greenfield, and with breaching an undertaking (no contact), assaulting with a weapon, and uttering threats between Feb. 14 and 15 at Greenfield. The crown also withdrew these charges.
Fenske appeared in provincial court via video in custody on June 10 and was released with conditions pending his trial. He spent several months in custody after being denied bail on Feb. 27. He appeared in court in custody for the first part of his trial on May 16.
Witness warrants issued
Clay Nicholson, 28, of Woodstock, formerly of Clearview, appeared in provincial court on July 17 for a monitoring hearing regarding his trial after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until July 23 at 9:30 a.m. to set a new trial date.
The trial was delayed at the request of the crown, and warrants were issued for three crown witnesses who were not present to testify at the trial on July 3.
Nicholson was charged with assault with a weapon (a pizza cutter), unlawful entry at a dwelling house, uttering threats, and assaulting another man on May 24, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol.
He was also charged with assaulting a woman and assault by choking on Aug. 15, 2024, at Centreville, and breach of a no-contact order on Aug. 22, 2024, in Centreville.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 26, 2024, and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He requested that the ankle bracelet be removed at his next court appearance, scheduled for July 23.
Plea date set over
Logan Estey, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 16 for plea on a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until July 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Estey appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 5 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions (ankle bracelet). He was charged with breaching a release order (no contact) for an incident on June 1 in Woodstock.
At an earlier court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to other separate matters, and three trial dates were set: Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m., Feb. 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., and March 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Estey was charged by RCMP with assault, assault with a weapon (a car), and dangerous driving following an incident on July 24, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of breaching a no-contact order related to an incident on Aug. 3, 2024, in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no further contact with the complainant. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 8, 2024, and was released with conditions.
He was also charged with mischief, causing property damage to a window, and possession of a firearm to commit an offence in connection with an incident on Jan. 1, 2024, in Upper Woodstock. The court heard Estey was also facing more charges in Fredericton.
