Sentencing set for assault with utility knife
Gregory Sparks, 25, of no fixed address, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on May 21 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on three charges laid by RCMP.
Sparks pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (a utility knife) involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on April 20, 2024, at Centreville. He also pleaded guilty to breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order. He was released on an undertaking until his sentence.
Warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Bolster, 20, of Perth-Andover, after he failed to appear in provincial court for sentencing on May 20.
Bolster pleaded guilty to arson at a court appearance on Feb. 18. RCMP charged him in connection with a fire at a building in Perth-Andover on June 17, 2024.
Suspended sentence, probation
Justin Porter, 43, of Plaster Rock, received a suspended sentence and 12 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on May 20. He was also ordered to pay $600 in restitution.
Porter pleaded guilty to fraud in connection with an incident on Sept. 11, 2022, at the Timbertown Lounge in Plaster Rock. He had a prior criminal record.
A co-accused, Anita Albert, 51, of Plaster Rock, was also charged with fraud concerning the same incident. She pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to stand trial in November.
However, her matter was diverted to the alternative measures program. Albert has until Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the requirements of the program in order to have her charge withdrawn by the crown.
Sentence pending for Neqotkuk man
Trevor Lee Bear, Jr., 27, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on May 20 and pleaded guilty to one charge laid by RCMP.
Bear pleaded guilty to breach of probation by violating a no-contact order in connection with an incident on Feb. 7 at Neqotkuk. His sentencing date was set for Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Released with ankle bracelet
Gabriel Blake VanHorne, 24, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 20 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, with the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on June 10 at 9:30 a.m.
VanHorne was charged by RCMP with breaching a no-contact order stemming from an incident between April 24 and May 5.
On April 24, he appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He also posted a $1,000 bail bond.
He was charged by the RCMP with assault involving a female victim, committing mischief and breach of an undertaking for an incident on April 19 at Hartley Settlement.
On May 13, he appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. His trial was set for May 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
He also appeared in provincial court on March 25 and pleaded not guilty to a separate assault charge. His trial date was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged him with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on Jan. 29 at Hartley Settlement. He was released on an undertaking until his trial and ordered to have no contact with the complainant. VanHorne had a dated prior criminal record.
Facing seven charges
Lee Roy Durepos, 49, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court on May 20 to answer seven charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until June 17 at 9:30 a.m. His defence counsel needed more time to review an extensive disclosure from the crown.
Durepos was charged with touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, invitation to sexual touching, and making sexually explicit materials available to a minor, concerning incidents between Jan. 1, 2023, and May 27, 2024, at Odell.
He was also charged with sexual assault, sexual assault while choking the victim, and uttering threats for another incident between Jan. 1, 2023, and Oct. 4, 2024, at Odell. Another charge of indecent exposure was laid for an incident alleged to have occurred between Sept. 1, 2021, and May 27, 2022, at Perth-Andover. Durepos was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Returning for plea
Anthony Veysey, 51, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court on May 20 for plea on three firearm charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until June 17 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Veysey appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged him with unauthorized possession of a loaded firearm, careless use of a gun, and possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose following an incident in Pembroke on the Easter weekend.
Weekend remand
Brycen Trae Stewart, 28, of Lakeville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 20 after being remanded on the weekend on a breach charge.
The crown withdrew the charge, and Stewart was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will be residing at a residence in Centreville.
Stewart appeared in provincial court on March 11 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. His trial was set for March 12-13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged him with dangerous driving, flight from police and breaching his curfew on Dec. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on Jan. 13 in Woodstock, and two counts of breaching his release order (curfew) concerning incidents on Sept. 24 and Oct. 8, 2024, in Woodstock.
Stewart was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house on May 25, 2024, in Killoween and possessing a stolen vehicle on Aug. 4, 2023, in Lakeville.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 30 for a bail hearing after being arrested on warrants. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. The court heard that Stewart was attending a rehab facility in Moncton under house arrest. A pre-trial conference was set for Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial date confirmed
Braeden Paul Thornton, 28, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 20 for monitoring about his trial. He confirmed he has legal counsel to proceed to trial on July 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Thornton pleaded not guilty to breaching his release order (no-contact) following an incident on March 15. He will also stand trial on July 11 on other separate charges.
Thornton was arrested by RCMP on Thanksgiving weekend on charges of breaching a peace bond, uttering threats, assault and assault by choking, theft of a cell phone, and breaching an undertaking. He pleaded not guilty. He has a prior criminal record and remains in custody.
Plea adjourned to new date
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Peel, will appear in provincial court for plea on June 3 at 9:30 a.m. on charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He was scheduled to enter his plea on May 20 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Brooks appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 20 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with assaulting a female victim, assault by choking, unlawful confinement and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone on Feb. 12 at Lower Brighton.
Woodstock Police charged him with assaulting a female victim and unlawful confinement for an incident on Feb. 19 in Woodstock. Brooks also faces a charge of assaulting another woman on Nov. 24, 2024, in Lower Brighton.
Facing two new charges
Robert McFarlane, 39, of Florenceville-Bristol, will answer two new charges when he appears in provincial court on June 3 at 9:30 a.m.
McFarlane was scheduled to return to court on May 20 for monitoring about his trial when two new charges of theft and uttering threats were laid against him. His defence counsel requested the matter be adjourned for plea, and a warrant was held on file.
RCMP charged McFarlane with assaulting another man on April 4 at Florenceville-Bristol, breaking into a dwelling house, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, and breach of an undertaking on May 4 in Johnville. He pleaded not guilty, and a new date for his trial was rescheduled for Nov. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 11, 2024, and was released with conditions. As part of his release, McFarlane was ordered to follow a curfew, have no contact with the complainant and stay away from a residence in Johnville. He was also prohibited from using firearms.
Greenfield man to stand trial
Dustin Arthur Hawksley, 29, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court on May 20 for monitoring about his trial after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for Jan. 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Hawksley was charged with assault involving a female victim and breach of a peace bond following an incident on Jan. 11 in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant. Another monitoring date for his trial was set for June 10 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he has legal counsel.
Trial dates in February
Dale Boyle, 70, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on May 20 to confirm dates for his trial on one charge laid by the RCMP.
The matter was set for trial on Feb. 13, 2026, and Feb. 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference will be held on Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Boyle appeared in provincial court for sentencing on April 22 after pleading guilty. After hearing the evidence, Judge Karen Lee said she could not accept Boyle’s plea because the statement of facts presented by the crown did not support a finding of guilt.
Boyle pleaded guilty to making a visual recording of another person without their consent when there was a reasonable expectation of privacy for an incident between Feb. 1 and Aug. 10, 2024, at Plaster Rock.
The court heard the charges involved two victims and a hidden camera, which was allegedly pointed toward a shower in a private bathroom.
After the statement of facts was read, Defence Counsel Peter Hyslop motioned to withdraw his client’s guilty plea, and Judge Lee granted the motion. The crown will undertake a forensic analysis of the evidence before the trial.
Neqotkuk men charged in break-in
Brandon Michael Francis, 29, and Morgan Nicholas, 28, both of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on May 20 for plea on charges related to an alleged break-in at a dwelling house.
The matter was adjourned for plea until June 10 at 9:30 a.m. to allow both accused more time to secure legal counsel. On Tuesday, Francis appeared in custody by video after being arrested for breaching his release order. His bail hearing was set for May 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Both men appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 1 for a bail hearing. They were released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to their ankles.
Francis and Nicholas were each charged with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief causing property damage to a door and window, and assaulting another man with a wooden two-by-four in connection with an incident on April 29 at Neqotkuk. Francis also faces additional charges of uttering threats, resisting arrest, and breach of probation concerning the same incident. Both men have prior criminal records.
Not-guilty plea
Lacy Ann McClendon of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court on May 20 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. Her trial date was set for June 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
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.
Trial date determined
Cassidy Guest, 33, of Grand Falls, appeared in provincial court on May 20 to set a date for his trial after pleading not guilty to several charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was set for June 22, 2026 and June 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Guest was charged by Woodstock Police with assault by choking, unlawful confinement, assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, breach of an undertaking, robbery of a cell phone, mischief causing property damage, and assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife), concerning an incident between Feb. 15 and Feb.16 in Woodstock.
A co-accused, Lori Guest of Grand Falls, was charged with being an accessory after the fact in the alleged crime. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was set for May 14-15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference will be held on Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Missed court appearance
The court issued an arrest warrant for Henry Douglas Oakes, 54, of Fredericton, formerly of Greenfield, after he failed to appear in provincial court on May 20 for monitoring about his trial.
Oakes is scheduled for trial in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 4 and was released with conditions.
He was charged by Woodstock Police with impaired driving on Aug. 6, 2024, and theft from the Superstore on July 12, 2024, in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with breach of an undertaking on May 15, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol.
Another warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Nathan Harper, 19, of no fixed address, after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on May 20.
Harper was charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Canadian Tire Store and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Aug. 20, 2024, in Woodstock.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on May 2. He was released with conditions after being arrested on a warrant by Fredericton Police.
Adjourned for new counsel
Cole Paul Smith, 30, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court on May 20 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matters were adjourned until June 2 at 1:30 p.m. to allow him more time to consult his new legal counsel.
Smith appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on May 1. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Woodstock Police charged Smith with assault with a weapon (a metal stool) and two counts of uttering threats on April 10-11 in Woodstock.
RCMP also charged him with assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and two counts of uttering threats concerning another incident between Nov. 15 and Nov. 30, 2024, in Johnville. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Smith also appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to three other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for March 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. He was charged with uttering threats, assault by choking and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on Oct. 22, 2024, at Johnville.
Alleged assault at Dead Creek
Bradley Collicott, 50, of Dead Creek, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 20 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until June 3 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel, who appeared in court on his behalf.
RCMP charged Collicott with assault involving a female victim following an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, at Dead Creek. The court heard that a resolution is being sought with the crown.
Plea adjourned to new date
Earl James Demerchant, 35, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on June 17 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was scheduled to be in court on May 20 when the matter was adjourned to the new date. A warrant will be held on file because he failed to appear.
Demerchant appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on March 10 and was released with conditions. Woodstock Police charged him with breaching his release order for an incident on March 8.
Woodstock Police also charged Demerchant with assaulting police, resisting arrest and breach of probation following an incident on Jan. 12 in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with breach of probation for an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, in Waterville.
Trial on multiple charges
Clay Nicholson, 28, of Woodstock, formerly of Clearview, appeared in provincial court on May 20 for monitoring about his trial. The court heard that legal counsel had been appointed to cross-examine the complainant.
Nicholson pleaded not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP, and his trial date was set for July 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
He 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.
Trial date changed
At the crown’s request, a trial date for William McKinney, 44, of Benton, was changed on May 20. He will now appear for trial in provincial court on May 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
McKinney was charged by RCMP with impaired driving and flight from police concerning an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, at Benton. His defence counsel entered his not-guilty plea on Jan. 7.
Warrant on file
Brandon Tomah, 36, of no fixed address, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 20 for plea on charges laid by the RCMP. He failed to attend, and a warrant will be held on file.
Tomah was charged with resisting arrest on Jan. 26 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) and theft of a motor vehicle on Jan. 29 at Perth-Andover.
Oakland man has tobacco charge
Grant Rediker of Oakland appeared in provincial court on May 20 to answer a charge under the Excise Act. The matter was adjourned for plea until June 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Rediker was charged under the Excise Act with illegal possession of tobacco products on March 12 in Oakland.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer multiple other charges laid by the RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts, and trial dates were set for May 1, 2026, and May 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference was also set for March 13, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Rediker was charged by RCMP with assault with a weapon (a vehicle), possession of ammunition while prohibited, possession of a prohibited weapon without a licence, careless use of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, break and enter at a garage, and illegal possession of methamphetamine. The charges were laid in connection with an incident involving a female victim on March 12 in Oakland.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on March 13 and was released with conditions.
Fined for illegal tobacco
Crystal Joy Mollison of Woodstock was scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 20 for a default hearing about non-payment of a fine. She did not attend court, and a warrant of committal was issued for her arrest in lieu of 15 days in jail.
Mollison was fined $2,000 on Feb. 15, 2022. She pleaded guilty to selling contraband tobacco in connection with a Dec. 11, 2020, incident in Woodstock.
Woodstock Police laid the charge following a search warrant at a local residence where 7,800 illegal cigarettes were seized—the crown withdrew two other charges under the Tobacco Tax Act.
Failed to attend
Jayson Lee O’Hagan, 21, of Bairdsville, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 20 for plea on a charge of breaching his release order. He failed to attend court, and a warrant will be held on file.
O’Hagan appeared in provincial court in custody on May 8 and was released with conditions.
On April 29, he changed his plea to guilty on two other charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was set for June 3 at 1:30 p.m.
O’Hagan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and breaching a release order on Sept. 15, 2024, near Bairdsville. The crown withdrew several other charges. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including house arrest.
