November date for companies charged in massive fuel leak
Two companies, charged with violating environmental laws during a massive fuel leak at a local gas station, will return to court in November for another hearing.
Irving Oil Limited and Grant Enterprises (1984) Ltd. have each been charged under the Clean Environment Act with failing to immediately report a petroleum leak and releasing a contaminant into the environment between Aug. 1, 2024, and Dec. 13, 2024. The two offences carry a potential fine of up to $1 million.
Lawyer Matthew Hayes, K.C., of McInnes Cooper, represented both businesses in Woodstock Provincial Court via teleconference on Sept. 29. The companies return to court for plea on Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. The Crown Prosecutor in the case is Patrick Wilbur, and Judge Rose Campbell heard Tuesday’s proceedings. The court heard that the Crown and defence are working on an agreed statement of facts to be presented on Nov. 10.
The charges relate to a massive diesel fuel leak that occurred over time from a fuel storage system at the Beardsley Road Irving station. Since the leak was discovered in December 2024, more than 180,000 litres of diesel were recovered from the soil around the gas station.
Trial verdict pending
Trevor Lee Crain, 52, of Killoween, appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 2 on a sexual assault charge laid by RCMP. After a half-day of testimony, Judge Rose Campbell reserved her verdict until Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain pleaded not guilty to breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault on a female victim for an incident between May 1, 2023, and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain. Both the accused and the victim testified at the trial.
Crain is also awaiting sentencing on other charges. On Sept. 3, he pleaded guilty to failing to appear for his trial on July 8; breaching his release order (house arrest) in connection with three incidents between Jan. 30 and Feb. 7, 2025, at Beechwood; and assaulting a woman on June 11, 2023, at Moose Mountain.
Crain also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen dirt bike on May 25, 2024, and guilty to unlawful entry at a dwelling house on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain. He will be sentenced on those charges after his trial matters conclude.
Nine-month conditional sentence
Lacy Ann McClendon, 39, of Medford, received a nine-month conditional sentence order when she appeared in provincial court on Oct. 2 after changing her plea to guilty on three charges laid by the RCMP. The court also ordered her to seek employment and counselling as required.
McClendon pleaded guilty to flight from police, dangerous driving, and driving while suspended in connection with an incident on Jan. 31, 2025, in Grafton. The Crown withdrew one other charge. McClendon had no prior criminal record.
Beechwood woman found guilty
Courtney Demerchant, 28, of Beechwood, was found guilty after trial when she appeared in provincial court on Oct. 1 via teleconference for a verdict on assault charges laid by the RCMP. Her sentencing date was set for Jan. 20, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Demerchant was charged with assault with a weapon and two counts of assault causing bodily harm concerning a family dispute on Nov. 5, 2024, at a residence in Beechwood. Chief Judge Brian C. McLean found her guilty on all counts. There was more than one victim involved in the incident, and a child was injured.
On Sept. 29, the Crown withdrew another assault charge laid against Demerchant by Woodstock Police. She was charged with assaulting a male victim in connection with an incident on Feb. 15, 2025, in Woodstock.
Agreed to peace bond
Kyle Evans, 40, of Carlingford, appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 1 after pleading not guilty to an assault charge.
RCMP charged Evans following an incident on April 1, 2025, in Aroostook. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial was cancelled. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.
Newbridge man awaits sentencing
Bernard Murray Turner, 38, of Newbridge, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Turner pleaded guilty to fraud under $5,000 and possession of stolen property (a cheque) for an incident on Aug. 3, 2023, in Woodstock. The Crown withdrew another forgery charge.
At a separate court appearance, Turner also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm without a licence (a shotgun) for another incident on Nov. 5, 2024, at Carlow. Conservation officers laid the charge.
Turner was also charged by Woodstock Police with breaching a release order (no-contact), uttering threats, assault, and dangerous driving concerning an incident on June 4, 2025, in Woodstock. His trial dates were set for Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. and Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
He also pleaded not guilty to a charge of flight from police stemming from an incident on Feb. 16, 2024, and a trial date was set for Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Sentencing adjourned
Miguel Downer of Perth-Andover will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m. on a stolen property charge. He was scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 29, but the court adjourned the matter.
Downer pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen motorcycle on Aug. 7, 2024, in Wilmot. The RCMP laid the charge.
Trial next week
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hillman pleaded not guilty to mischief, dangerous driving, flight from police, and obstruction in connection with an incident on March 13, 2025, in Woodstock.
Not-guilty plea
Cole Wade Gray, 24, of Upper Kintore, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP.
Gray pleaded not guilty to theft of lumber between July 21, 2023, and July 23, 2023, in Johnville. The Crown withdrew another charge of unlawful entry at a dwelling house. He also pleaded not guilty to breaching curfew and breaching a release order between Nov. 27 and Dec. 1, 2023, at Aroostook.
Gray also pleaded not guilty to two counts of mischief and uttering threats concerning an incident on March 18, 2025, at Lower Kintore. He was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Released on undertaking
Muhammed Iqbal, 42, of Somerville, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to five charges laid by the RCMP.
Iqbal was charged with uttering threats on May 10 in Somerville; three counts of assault and assault by choking between July 1 and July 31 in Somerville. His trial was scheduled for Aug. 21 but was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel. He was released on an undertaking until his next appearance.
Holmesville woman awaiting trial
Renee Hardy, 47, of Holmesville, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Hardy pleaded not guilty to impaired driving and resisting arrest, stemming from an incident on Oct. 10, 2024, at Perth-Andover.
