Defence argues for lighter sentence for sex crimes
A River de Chute man’s functional illiteracy became the centre of his defence during a sentencing hearing about his sex crimes on Aug. 12.
Martin Sargefield, 32, appeared in provincial court in custody. After hearing final submissions from the Crown and defence counsel, Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on sentence until Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Sargefield with sexual assault and touching a female minor for a sexual purpose (indictable) between July 1, 2016, and July 22, 2022. He pleaded guilty and was remanded to jail on May 27 to await sentencing.
The court heard about a series of sexual acts involving the accused and the victim over six years.
Crown Prosecutor Matt Oram told the court Sargefield deserved eight years in federal prison for his crimes. He also requested that he be ordered to register with the federal DNA database and the national sex offender registry for 20 years.
A firearms and weapons prohibition was also recommended by the Crown, as well as an order that Sargefield be banned from working, volunteering or attending places where children may be present. He had a minimal prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Wanda Severns requested a federal prison sentence of just over two years. She argued at length about the details of a psychological assessment, which indicated Sargefield was functionally illiterate. Severns said this showed her client had a cognitive disability that should be taken into consideration during his sentencing. The court heard he also had difficulty with impulse control.
“He did not comprehend the damage being done until after the fact, but he did admit it was wrong,” Severns said. “Consequential reasoning was absent. It was something at the time that he chose to do although the facts cannot be undone.”
Crown Prosecutor Matt Oram stated Sargefield’s moral culpability could not be reduced by his illiteracy. Oram said there was no evidence to suggest he did not understand the difference between right and wrong, and no reason he should not receive a significant prison sentence.
Judge Lee noted the sexual abuse inflicted by Sargefield was sustained over a long period, and he tried to keep the abuse hidden, suggesting he was aware of his wrongdoing.
“I clued in after awhile,” Sargefield told Judge Lee.
Unprovoked attack on Main Street
Maurene Anne Nicholas, 49, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Aug. 12, after changing her plea to guilty of assaulting another woman on Main Street in Perth-Andover in a random, unprovoked attack.
After hearing submissions from the Crown and defence counsel, Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on sentence until Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Nicholas with assaulting another woman in Perth-Andover on Oct. 28, 2022.
The court heard details of how Nicholas jumped out of a vehicle and attacked a woman walking down the street with her children near the Bank of Montreal around noon. Nicholas punched the woman in the head with both fists and tore off her glasses. Witnesses on the street saw the incident, and one individual stopped the fight. Nicholas had a dated prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Alex Carleton said Nicholas was driving around and doing drugs with another family member, who said something disparaging about the victim that caused Nicholas to jump out and launch the attack.
“It was a cocktail of factors and not in character for Ms. Nicholas,” Carleton explained. “She was egged on by a family member.”
The Crown and defence made a joint submission on sentence for a conditional discharge and 12 months of probation for Nicholas. Still, Judge Lee said she needed time to consider the recommendation for a discharge due to the violence committed in front of two children on a public street that appeared to be random and unprovoked.
House arrest, $2,600 fine
Chase Rodbard, 21, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 for sentencing after pleading guilty to two impaired driving charges laid by the RCMP.
Judge Karen Lee fined him $2,600 on the first charge and handed him three months of house arrest for the second offence, as well as another $100 fine and an 18-month driving prohibition. He will be permitted to work during his house arrest.
Rodbard pleaded guilty to impaired driving on Oct. 26, 2024, at Hay Settlement, and guilty to impaired driving on Sept. 15, 2024, in Lower Woodstock. The Crown withdrew three other charges.
The court heard Rodbard was involved in a single-vehicle accident on Sept. 15, 2024, on Route 165 in Lower Woodstock. His vehicle flipped over on the highway with a male passenger inside. On Oct. 26, 2024, in Hay Settlement, he was sitting in another vehicle, slumped over the wheel in a driveway with the car still in gear.
Rodbard had no prior criminal record. He was ordered to seek counselling for alcohol abuse and mental health. The court heard he had a strong work record.
Waived bail
Ronald Dwayne Scott, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Aug. 11 after being arrested on the weekend.
He waived his bail and was remanded to jail to await another hearing on Aug. 18 at 1:30 p.m. about an alleged breach of his house arrest. He is also facing new charges laid by Woodstock Police for assault, committing mischief, and three counts of uttering threats.
Scott was handed six months of house arrest and 18 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on other charges on June 25. He was also prohibited from driving for one year.
He pleaded guilty to assaulting another man, willfully causing damage to a vehicle, dangerous driving, and flight from police for an incident on Nov. 10, 2022, in Woodstock. He was arrested by Woodstock Police and released from custody on a release order. Scott had a limited prior criminal record.
Judge Sebastian Michaud told the accused he was permitted to attend work during his house arrest but must follow a curfew for three months and have no contact with the complainant.
Arrested on a warrant
Aaron Barclay Moulton, 41, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 11 and was released with conditions.
Moulton was arrested on a warrant on charges laid by the RCMP for assault and uttering threats concerning an incident at Neqotkuk. He returns to court for plea on Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
In custody awaiting plea
Christopher Ryan Crawford, 36, formerly of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video from Alberta on Aug. 11 to answer five charges laid by the RCMP. He returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Crawford was charged with two counts of breach of probation, evading police, sexual assault, and failing to attend court in connection with incidents between March 1 and March 22, 2010, in Jacksonville. The court heard he is currently in jail in Alberta.
Holmesville man charged
Brent Demerchant, 58, of Holmesville, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m. to answer three charges laid by the RCMP. He was scheduled for plea on Aug. 12 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Demerchant was charged with assault with a weapon (a rock), assault involving a female victim, and uttering threats for an incident on June 22 at Holmesville. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Trial date booked
Samuel Martin, 45, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 to set a date for his trial after pleading not guilty to an assault charge. His trial date was set for Sept. 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Martin was charged with assault causing bodily harm to another man concerning an incident on March 30 at Plaster Rock. He entered his not-guilty plea at his first court appearance on July 18. A monitoring hearing was also set for Aug. 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he will be ready to proceed to trial.
Hospital stay leads to adjournment
Andrew St. Peter, 32, of Plaster Rock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Aug. 12 for a monitoring hearing about his trial. He did not attend court due to being in the hospital for mental health issues. His defence lawyer was present via teleconference and requested the matter be adjourned until Aug. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
St. Peter appeared in provincial court on April 8 via teleconference and pleaded not guilty to five charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for April 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
St. Peter was charged with two counts of breaching a release order by failing to report to police between Jan. 1 and March 11 at Weaver, and three counts of uttering threats on March 10 at Weaver. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 13 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Not-guilty pleas
Carly Rae Muzzerolle, 30, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. Her trial dates were set for Sept. 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and Oct. 7, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Muzzerolle appeared in provincial court in custody on June 23 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. RCMP charged her with flight from police, fraudulent impersonation, and breach of a release order.
She will also appear for trial in provincial court on Feb. 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a stolen property charge laid by the RCMP. She pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on March 4.
Warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Michelle McMann of Perth-Andover after she failed to appear in provincial court on Aug. 12 to answer two charges laid by the RCMP.
McMann appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 21 after being arrested on a warrant. She was released with an order to return to court for plea on charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest on March 13 at Perth-Andover.
McMann appeared by teleconference on July 15 and told the judge she had no means to get to court. An arrest warrant was issued to have her picked up by the police.
Guilty of theft of mail
Melissa Dawn Bull, 43, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 and pleaded guilty to two charges related to the theft of mail. Her sentencing date was set for Nov. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Bull was charged by the RCMP with theft of mail (two envelopes) and defrauding Canada Post (gift cards), stemming from an incident on Aug. 16-17, 2024, in Woodstock.
Sentencing on three charges
Sylvia Drier, 25, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 and pleaded guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP. Her sentencing was set for Nov. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Drier was charged with assaulting another woman, assault with a weapon (a can), and mischief causing property damage for an incident on April 19 at Hartley Settlement.
Trial booked on four charges
Sherra Gregg, 28, of Anderson Road, Victoria County, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 and pleaded not guilty to four charges laid by the RCMP. Her trial dates were set for Aug. 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and Sept. 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Gregg was charged with breach of an undertaking on March 31 at Perth-Andover; criminal harassment by repeated communication between March 8 and March 25 in Plaster Rock; assaulting another woman and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on July 16, 2024, at Quaker Brook.
Not-guilty plea
Logan Estey, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 and pleaded not guilty to a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for Oct. 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
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 for 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 the 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 concerning 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.
Awaiting trial date
Timothy Brian Wheelan, 37, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial on threat charges. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 22 at 9:30 a.m. to give him more time to secure legal counsel.
RCMP charged Wheelan with two counts of uttering threats in connection with an incident on March 17 in Jacksonville. He pleaded not guilty on June 24.
Plea adjourned
David Frank Janssens, 25, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Janssens was charged with arson and committing mischief on April 29, 2021, in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions. He made a court appearance on Aug. 12 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Another trial scheduled
Kelsey Janetta Brooker, 30, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 and pleaded not guilty to a theft charge laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial date was set for Oct. 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
She was also charged with theft from the Walmart on Connell Street in connection with an incident in July 2024 in Woodstock.
Brooker also appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to the other four charges laid by the RCMP. Her trial was set for Aug. 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
She was charged with shoplifting and breach of probation on March 3 at BMR Hardware in Hartland, and possession of a stolen truck and breach of probation on Feb. 11 at Pokiok.
In custody awaiting trial
Trevor Gerald McDougall, 34, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 12 to set a trial date after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was booked for Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
McDougall appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 21 and was denied bail. He was charged with assaulting a female victim and breach of probation in connection with an incident on July 17 in Woodstock.
Incident in Debec
Delta Foster, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 for a monitoring hearing about her trial after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP. She confirmed she has legal counsel to proceed.
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, 2024. Her trial was scheduled for Nov. 12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Some charges withdrawn
Clay Nicholson, 28, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 for a monitoring hearing about his trial after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP.
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. His trial date was rescheduled for Jan. 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
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. The Crown withdrew the charges, and the trial was cancelled.
Monitoring hearing coming up
Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court via teleconference on Aug. 12 for plea and a monitoring hearing about 12 files. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard that a resolution is being sought with the Crown.
Phillips appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 29 for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions to a rehab facility in Shediac with an ankle bracelet and under full house arrest.
Phillips was charged with breaching her release order (ankle bracelet) and breaking into a dwelling house on July 8 in Upper Woodstock. She has not yet entered a plea.
She pleaded not guilty in April to other charges laid by the RCMP. Phillips was charged by the RCMP with breaching her release order (curfew) on March 17 and resisting arrest on March 16 at Wilmot and breaching her curfew in connection with an incident on Jan. 23 in Woodstock. Her trial was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Phillips is also awaiting trial on Feb. 27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. on other charges of flight from police and dangerous driving following an incident on Feb. 24, 2024, in Jacksonville.
She has other trial dates scheduled for Sept. 22 and Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police also charged her with flight from police and driving while suspended on Feb. 6, 2024, fraudulent impersonation, using a credit card knowing it was obtained by fraudulent means, and defrauding Walmart in Woodstock between Aug. 10, 2019, and June 23, 2023. She appeared in provincial court in custody on April 18, 2024, on another charge of breaching her curfew laid by Woodstock Police.
Phillips appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 2, 2024, on other charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was released with conditions at that time, including a curfew. She was charged with illegal possession of methamphetamine and breaking into a dwelling house on March 31, 2024, in Woodstock.
Awaiting trial verdict
Brady Crawford, 30, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Aug. 11 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police. The trial concluded after one day of testimony. Crawford returns to court for a verdict on Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Crawford appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 15, 2024, and was released with conditions. He was charged by Woodstock Police with two counts of assault, uttering threats and assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife) concerning an incident on Feb. 11, 2024, in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assault and assault by choking between June 1 and Sept. 1, 2023, in Woodstock; assault by choking between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1, 2023, in Woodstock; and assault by choking and unlawful confinement between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Hearing scheduled
James Earle Dow, 47, of Dow Settlement, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 for sentencing on a threat charge transferred from Moncton. He told the court he wanted to withdraw the guilty plea he entered in January. A hearing was set for Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Dow also appeared in provincial court on June 18 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court for sentencing on other separate charges. He was released from custody with conditions and returns to court for his sentencing on Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
He pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited and refusing a breathalyzer demand in connection with an incident on May 14, 2023, at Dow Settlement. RCMP laid the charges. On March 18, his sentencing was adjourned to allow Dow to attend a rehab program.
