Armed intruder sentenced to more jail time
Mason Darren Bustard, 18, of Woodstock, was sentenced to two years in jail, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court on April 7. Once his remand time is applied, he has 11 months left in custody.
Judge Henrik Tonning also placed Bustard on two years of probation and ordered him to register with the federal DNA database. The accused was also prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years, and he must attend counselling and treatment for mental health and addiction.
“It’s always unfortunate when we have someone as young as Mr. Bustard come before the court for sentencing,” said Judge Tonning. “But his crimes are very serious.”
Bustard pleaded guilty to uttering threats against a female on July 24, 2024, in Woodstock and guilty to breaking into a garage on Houlton Street, wearing a mask during the commission of an offence, and assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife) on July 16, 2024, in Woodstock. Crown withdrew two other charges.
Bustard was arrested after Woodstock Police received a report of an armed intruder who entered a yard on Houlton Street on the morning of July 16, 2024, and approached a woman while holding a knife. The man’s face was partially covered with a mask or scarf.
He instructed the woman to “get in the house.” She immediately complied and locked the door behind her. Still wearing a mask, Bustard looked in a window at her and then went inside her garage before eventually leaving the area. She took a photo of him while he was in her yard and called the police, telling them an armed intruder terrified her.
Woodstock Police also charged Bustard with breach of a release order, possession of prohibited weapons (a sawed-off shotgun and brass knuckles), possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition for another incident on July 28, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to three of those charges, and the remaining charge was withdrawn. The weapons seized during the incident were forfeited to the crown.
Police made their arrest after spotting a suspect on Houlton Street around noon on July 28, 2024. The individual fled on a bicycle into the woods and was pursued by officers on foot. After biking up a trail behind the local food bank, he was located in the woods by the Meduxnekeag River.
During the chase, the suspect discarded various items, including a sawed-off shotgun, brass knuckles, and a mask, which an RCMP police dog later retrieved.
Defence Counsel Wanda Severns told the court Bustard struggled with mental health issues and drug addiction. She said he was autistic and had trouble with impulse control. He had been in jail since his arrest in July 2024.
Sentencing adjourned over restitution
Clay Hargrove, 34, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on April 8 after pleading guilty to several charges laid by RCMP.
After hearing submissions from both the crown and defence counsel, Chief Judge Brian C. McLean adjourned his sentence decision until May 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Hargrove pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen vehicle, flight from police, and driving while prohibited for an incident on Dec. 8, 2024, at Tobique Narrows. The crown withdrew another charge of driving while suspended.
Hargrove also pleaded guilty to breaking into a cabin at Tobique Narrows on Sept. 4, 2024. Two other charges related to the incident were withdrawn. The court heard the break-in was captured on video surveillance.
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden recommended Hargrove receive nine months in jail, minus time served, and 12 months of probation. He noted the accused struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Hargrove had a prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Bronwyn Mooney agreed with the crown on the sentence but would not concede to her client paying a restitution order totalling $4,215 related to a list of items stolen from the cabin at Tobique Narrows. The issue of restitution is to be resolved by the May 2 court date.
Hargrove pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault involving a male victim and possession of a stolen ATV for an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Upper Kent. His trial date was set for June 26 at 9:30 a.m.
He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 17, 2024, and waived his bail until later.
Five days in jail for driving offences
Robin Jordan, 57, of Fredericton, was sentenced to five days in jail when he appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on April 8.
Jordan was found guilty after an ex-parte trial on two counts of driving while suspended. Chief Judge Brian C. McLean placed him on probation for one year and ordered him to seek counselling for addiction and mental health issues.
Jordan was charged by Woodstock Police for incidents on June 16, 2023, and Sept. 1, 2023, in Woodstock. He was arrested on a warrant in Fredericton on April 7 and held for sentencing. He had a prior criminal record.
Two charged in Mainstream shooting
Patrick Harris, 40, of Fredericton, and Tamara Hamilton, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on April 8 to answer charges stemming from a shooting in Mainstream in February. Their matter was adjourned for plea until April 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Harris appeared in custody by video on March 19 for his bail hearing. He was released from custody with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will be residing in Hartland under house arrest with a curfew.
Hamilton was released on Feb. 20 with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She was placed under house arrest with a curfew at a residence in Woodstock.
Harris was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present, possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition without a licence, wearing a mask with intent to commit an offence; uttering threats against another man, breach of probation, pointing a gun at another person, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and being an occupant of a vehicle (a half-ton truck) knowing it carried a firearm.
Hamilton was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun.
The pair was arrested by RCMP inside a garage in Pembroke after a blue half-ton truck was spotted leaving the scene of the shooting in Mainstream on Feb. 17.
Held for bail hearing
Daniel Jr. Constandinides, 19, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 7 to answer new charges laid by RCMP. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on April 11 at 11 a.m.
Constandinides was charged with theft of a motor 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.
On March 24, he appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. At that time, the RCMP charged Constandinides with breaching an undertaking and obstructing police for an incident in Perth-Andover.
Weaver man held in custody
Christopher Elliott, 35, of Weaver, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on April 7 and was remanded. He returns to court in custody by video on April 10 at 9:30 a.m. for a bail hearing.
RCMP charged Elliott with breaking into a dwelling house and breach of probation concerning an incident on March 31 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
In custody in Fredericton
Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 8 for plea on multiple charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until April 24 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Sullivan appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. On Tuesday, he told the court he was arrested on the weekend in Fredericton on a theft charge and was denied bail.
In Woodstock, Sullivan was charged by RCMP with breach of a release order (no-contact) and breach of probation, stemming from an incident on March 14 at Gladwyn.
He also faces charges of breaching his release order and breach of probation concerning an incident on Feb. 20 in Waterville and theft from the Twin Rivers Paper Company in Plaster Rock on Jan. 12.
Sullivan is also scheduled for trial on Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two more charges. He was charged with assaulting another man and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Nov. 23, 2024, at Plaster Rock and Gladwyn. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant. Sullivan has a prior criminal record.
Returning for plea
Jayson Lee O’Hagan, 21, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on April 8 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until April 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
On March 20, he appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including house arrest.
O’Hagan was charged with illegal possession of hydromorphone (morphine), breach of a release order on March 1 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), and breach of a release order on March 18 at Perth-Andover.
He also appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to four other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for Oct. 1 and Oct. 8, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
O’Hagan was charged with dangerous driving and breaching a release order on Sept. 15, 2024, near Bairdsville, possessing a stolen licence plate and breaching a release order on Sept. 26, 2024, in Perth-Andover. The conditions of his release order prohibited O’Hagan from driving.
Charged with sexual assault
Joseph Diamond, 43, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on April 8 for plea on a sex charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until April 22 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Diamond was charged with sexual assault involving a minor in connection with an incident on April 27, 2024, in Woodstock.
Trial on five charges
Andrew St. Peter, 32, of Plaster Rock, 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. A monitoring date for his trial was set for July 8 at 1:30 p.m.
St. Peter appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 13 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Plea delayed on three charges
Ashley Marie Bernard, 39, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was scheduled to appear in provincial court on April 8 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. She failed to appear, and the matter was adjourned until April 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Bernard was charged with theft and breach of probation on June 18, 2024, and breach of probation on Sept. 5, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She appeared in court in custody on March 5 and was released with conditions.
Awaiting hearing
Mackenzie O’Keefe, 26, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 8 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until April 24 at 1:30 p.m.
At his lawyer’s request, a hearing will be held about his criminal responsibility before his plea is entered. O’Keefe appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 4 after being arrested on warrants. He was released with conditions but later remanded for a mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital on other separate charges in Edmundston.
O’Keefe was charged with mischief causing property damage to a windshield on Oct. 26, 2023, at Tobique Narrows, possession of a stolen vehicle, and driving while suspended on Dec. 30, 2023, at Quaker Brook, Victoria County. He told the court he wanted to have a psychiatric evaluation, so a hearing date was set.
Neqotkuk woman to be sentenced
Amy Moulton of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. Her sentencing date was set for July 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Moulton pleaded guilty to impaired driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident following an incident on Sept. 28, 2024, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew a third charge. She was released on an undertaking until her sentencing.
Pair to stand trial
Makayla Marie Shaw, 27, of Plaster Rock, and Adam Ronald Demerchant, of Moncton, appeared in provincial court via teleconference on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to a break-and-enter charge laid by Woodstock Police. Their trial date was set for April 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant first appeared in court in custody on March 4 and was released with conditions to enter a rehab facility.
Shaw appeared in court in custody on Feb. 25 on a charge of breaching a release order (curfew) between Sept. 15, 2024, and Nov. 7, 2024, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty and was released to return to a rehab facility in Moncton. Her trial on the curfew breach will be held on April 24 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged the pair with breaking into a residence on Creighton Street in Woodstock on Sept. 26, 2024.
Agreed to peace bond
Dean Fransky, 60, of Richmond Settlement, appeared for trial in provincial court on April 4 on two charges laid by RCMP. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial was cancelled.
Fransky was charged with assault involving a female victim and unlawful confinement concerning an incident on Feb. 21, 2024, at Richmond Settlement. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.
Trial continues for Centreville man
Stacey Harry Broad, 57, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court in custody on April 9 at 9:30 a.m. to continue his trial.
Broad appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 23, 2024, and was denied bail. He pleaded not guilty to multiple assault charges laid by RCMP. The first part of his trial was held on Dec. 11, 2024, and was scheduled for further testimony on Feb. 26 but was adjourned.
Broad was charged with uttering threats, assault, assault by choking, sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim and breach of probation in connection with an incident in the County of York between April 3 and April 10, 2024. He was released from custody with conditions but was re-arrested on a charge of breaching his release order a few days later.
Awaiting plea on three charges
Ian Washburn, 55, of Holmesville, appeared in provincial court on April 8 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Washburn was charged with two counts of assault and committing an indecent act in connection with an incident on Oct. 13, 2024. He was also charged with driving while suspended for an incident on Feb. 9 in Oakland.
Not-guilty plea
Adam Victor Jinson, 50, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on April 8 to answer two charges. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for April 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Jinson with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats. A monitoring date for his trial was set for June 10 at 9:30 a.m. The defence may seek a resolution with the crown before his next court date.
Trial pending on threat charges
Christopher Anthony Clark, 48, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on April 8 for monitoring about his trial.
Clark was charged by Woodstock Police with two counts of uttering threats against two women, stemming from an incident on April 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was scheduled for Sept. 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
On April 8, he told the court he still did not have legal counsel, so an order was made for counsel to cross-examine the victim.
Riceville man awaiting trial
Eric Butler, 38, of Riceville, appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to a flight charge laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for April 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Butler was charged with fleeing police in connection with an incident on Jan. 12 in Woodstock.
Johnville man gets trial date
Cole Smith, 30, of Johnville, will appear in provincial court on April 8 at 9:30 a.m. He pleaded not guilty to the RCMP’s charges, and his trial date was set for March 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Smith was charged with uttering threats, assault by choking and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on Oct. 22, 2024, at Johnville. He was released on a court order and returns to court on April 29 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on another assault charge.
Seeking legal counsel
Trevor Lee Bear, Jr., 27, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on April 8 to answer one charge laid by RCMP.
Bear was charged with breach of probation by violating a no-contact order in connection with an incident on Feb. 7 at Neqotkuk. The matter was adjourned until April 29 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
New trial date
Ronald DeLong, 38, of Wilmot, will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP.
DeLong was charged with two counts of possession of a stolen motorcycle and possession of ammunition while prohibited following an incident on Aug. 7, 2024, at Wilmot.
His trial was first set for October but was moved to the new date at his lawyer’s request.
Sentencing on two charges
Caleb Crain, 40, of Piercemont, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on April 9 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP.
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.
On March 25, Crain attempted to withdraw his guilty plea and send the matter back to trial, but Judge Natalie LeBlanc denied his request due to insufficient grounds. The court heard the crown was seeking a three-month jail sentence for Crain.
Returning for plea
Lacy Ann McClendon of Perth-Andover will appear in provincial court on April 29 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by RCMP.
McClendon was charged with dangerous driving, flight from police, driving while suspended and breach of a peace bond in connection with an incident on Jan. 31. She appeared in court on April 8 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Two charges in driving incident
Olivia Annette Young, 32, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on April 29 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Young was charged with flight from police and dangerous driving concerning an incident on Sept. 13, 2024, in Woodstock. She is also awaiting trial on Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m. in relation to a charge of breaching her curfew.
Young failed to appear in court for plea on April 8, and a warrant was held on file.
Charges withdrawn
The crown withdrew two charges laid against Christopher Canam, 26, of Woodstock, when he appeared in provincial court on April 8.
RCMP charged Canam with assault involving a female victim and assault with a weapon (a knife) stemming from an incident between Oct. 21, 2024, and Nov. 3, 2024, in Bath.
Williamstown man to stand trial
Christian Shannon, 25, of Williamstown, appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to three charges. His trial dates were set for April 20 and 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Shannon appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Feb. 11 and was released with conditions. Woodstock Police charged him with breach of probation between Jan. 30 and Aug. 16, 2024, in Woodstock; theft from Don’s Pawn Shop on April 30, 2024; and assaulting a female victim on Nov. 17, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court.
Plaster Rock man charged with assault
Phillip Campbell, 23, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on April 8 for monitoring about his trial on two charges. He told the court he was still without legal counsel, so an order was made for counsel to cross-examine the victim.
Campbell was charged by RCMP with breach of an undertaking and assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Oct. 6, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
New trial date pending
Cindy Demerchant, 53, of Lower Kintore, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on April 8 for monitoring about her trial in August. She did not appear in court, but her lawyer requested an adjournment until April 15 at 9:30 a.m., when a new trial date will be set.
The RCMP charged Demerchant with break-and-entry and theft of food and money from Tim Hortons in Perth-Andover on May 9, 2024. She pleaded not guilty.
Newbridge man has firearm charge
Bernard Murray Turner, 38, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to a firearm charge laid by RCMP. His trial will be held on Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Turner was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence (a shotgun) for an incident on Nov. 5, 2024, at Carlow. A monitoring date for his trial was scheduled for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial dates were set for Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m. and Feb. 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Turner 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 fleeing police for an incident on Feb. 16, 2024. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. A monitoring date for his trial was set for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Another trial date
Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. Her trial was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Phillips was charged with breaching her release order (curfew) on March 17 and resisting arrest on March 16 at Wilmot. She appeared in provincial court in custody on March 18 and was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle.
At an earlier court appearance, Phillips was charged with breaching her curfew concerning an incident on Jan. 23 in Woodstock. She appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions. She pleaded not guilty on April 8.
Phillips is also awaiting trial on June 2 and June 4 at 9:30 a.m. and on Feb. 27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. on other separate charges. RCMP charged her with fleeing police and dangerous driving following an incident on Feb. 24, 2024, at Jacksonville.
Woodstock Police also charged her with fleeing police and driving while suspended on Feb. 6, 2024, fraudulent impersonation, using a credit card knowing it was obtained by fraudulent means, and defrauding the 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. On March 31, 2024, she was charged with illegal possession of methamphetamine and breaking into a dwelling house in Woodstock.
She also appeared for trial on Jan. 16 in relation to other separate charges. Woodstock Police charged Phillips with possession of stolen property (a Sobeys gift card) concerning an incident on May 30, 2022, in Woodstock. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program. Phillips has until April 15 to complete the program’s requirements to have the charge withdrawn.
