Dead Creek man found not guilty on all charges
Zachary Benjamin Ivey, 24, of Dead Creek, was found not guilty on all charges when he appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 for a verdict following his trial in November.
Ivey was charged with uttering threats at Pole Hill on Feb. 15, 2021; pointing a firearm at another person, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, possession of a firearm without a licence, careless use of a firearm, assault with a weapon, and uttering threats in relation to another incident on Dec. 28, 2020, at Pole Hill. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Jan. 26, 2022.
During the trial, crown testimony alleged Ivey pointed a firearm and uttered threats during a domestic dispute. Under cross-examination, Defence Counsel Alex Carleton suggested the allegations were false.
In handing down his verdict, Judge Scott A. Brittain said crown evidence during the trial lacked credibility, including testimony from the female complainant, who admitted she lied to the police. Under cross-examination, she told the judge she wanted to end her testimony but was ordered by the judge to finish answering questions from defence counsel.
Judge Brittain ruled Ivey’s testimony was direct and forthright. The accused testified in his defence and denied all the allegations in the charges. Ivey testified he did have an argument with the complainant on the day of the incident and broke her cell phone. He then drove her to the Walmart to purchase a new one. Police recovered no firearm during the investigation.
Charged with drug trafficking
Dynielle Allison Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 16, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Demerchant was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon (a switchblade) in connection with an incident on Dec. 22, 2022, in Woodstock.
She made her first court appearance on Dec. 19.
Held for bail hearing
Steven Frank Powers, 59, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 18, and he was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Powers with possession of methamphetamine and breach of probation for an incident on Dec. 17 in Plaster Rock.
Back in custody and released
Kelsey Janetta Brooker, 30, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 19 and was released with conditions.
Brooker was charged with breach of release order (curfew) on Dec. 9 at Centreville. She returns to court for plea on Jan. 26, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
Brooker was also scheduled for sentencing on other charges. Her sentencing was adjourned until her court appearance on Jan. 26.
Woodstock Police charged Brooker with failing to stop for police on April 22 in Woodstock. RCMP also charged her with failing to follow a curfew between March 11 and April 21 in Florenceville-Bristol. She changed her plea to guilty on both of these charges.
She was also charged by RCMP with break and enter at a dwelling house, carelessly transporting a firearm, possession of a gun (a rifle) for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a licence, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, and committing mischief causing property damage to a door, driveway gate, and security system in connection with a break-in at a residence on Jan. 26 in Holmesville.
Brooker pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm without a licence and guilty to being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a gun for the incident in Holmesville. The other charges will be withdrawn by the crown at sentencing.
The court heard two male accomplices in the break-in were already sentenced. Brooker waited outside in a vehicle and did not enter the residence. She had no prior criminal record.
Crown Prosecutor Bronwyn Mooney recommended Brooker receive six months of house arrest on all charges, as well as probation and a prohibition on firearms.
Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul requested a conditional discharge and probation. The defence explained Brooker was using drugs at the time of the offences but was now sober and working full-time. Paul argued a criminal record would damage employment opportunities for the accused.
Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean reserved his decision until Jan. 26.
In custody on four charges
Benjamin Watson, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 19 and was remanded. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged Watson with assault with a weapon (a cell phone), assault involving a female victim, breach of a peace bond and breach of probation concerning an incident on Dec. 16 in Woodstock.
Fined $2,000 for breathalyzer offence
Jeremy Andrew Anderson, 33, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 and pleaded guilty to a breathalyzer charge. He was fined $2,000 and is prohibited from driving for one year.
RCMP charged Anderson with refusing a breathalyzer demand following an incident on July 1 near Centreville. The accused apologized to the court for his actions. He had no prior criminal record.
180 days in jail on multiple charges
Jacob Jinson, 25, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Dec. 18 after pleading guilty to several charges laid by RCMP.
He was sentenced to 180 days in jail minus time served. Jinson will spend another 51 days in custody before his sentence is purged.
He pleaded guilty to breach of probation on June 19 at Glassville; guilty to breach of a release order (curfew) on Aug. 20 at Oakland; guilty to breaching a release order (ankle bracelet violation) and obstructing police on Sept. 23 at Somerville; guilty to breach of a release order (ankle bracelet violation) on Sept. 9 at Somerville; and guilty to breach of a release order (ankle bracelet violation) on July 30 at Mainstream.
Jinson also elected trial by judge and jury on charges of indictable sexual assault and unlawful confinement. His 10-day trial will be held at the Court of King’s Bench beginning on Sept. 23, 2024. A pre-trial conference was held on Dec. 18.
RCMP charged him with sexual assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and indictable breach of probation concerning the same incident on March 26 at Limestone. He was held for a bail hearing on April 3 and released with strict conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was later brought back into custody.
Jinson appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 25 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail.
A co-accused, Riley Cowper, 19, of Limestone, will also stand trial before a judge and jury next September on similar charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement.
Cowper appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 5 for a bail hearing and was released with strict conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. RCMP charged him with sexual assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and breach of probation in connection with an incident on March 26 at Limestone.
Cowper will also stand trial in provincial court on Aug. 14, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. on other separate charges. RCMP charged him with assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022. He pleaded not guilty at an earlier court appearance, and a trial date was first set for Oct. 30 when the trial was adjourned to the new date.
Held in custody for plea
Timothy Grant Davenport, 46, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 19 for plea on eight charges laid by RCMP.
The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 23, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the request of the accused, who told the court there were outstanding warrants in Manitoba he also wanted to address.
Davenport was charged by RCMP with theft, committing mischief, resisting arrest, possession of a prohibited weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm, using a gun during the commission of an offence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition while prohibited in connection with an incident on Nov. 26 near Lakeville. He appeared in court for a bail hearing on Nov. 29 and was remanded to jail.
Bail hearing scheduled
Dustin Robert Davenport, 40, of Aroostook, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 19 and was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 22 at 11 a.m.
RCMP charged Davenport with uttering threats, breach of probation, breaching a no-contact order, assault involving a female victim, and forcible entry at a dwelling house in connection with an incident on Sept. 4 at Carlingford. He was also charged with dangerous driving for a separate incident on Oct. 13 at Perth-Andover.
Neqotkuk man to enter plea
Garrison Cane Perley, 33, of Neqotkuk, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP.
Perley was charged with assault involving a female victim, assault by choking, and assault with a weapon (a knife) in connection with an incident on Oct. 14 near Perth-Andover. He appeared in court on Dec. 19 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Trial set on three charges
Leah Driscoll, 42, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. A trial date was set for Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m.
Driscoll was charged with obstructing a police officer and two counts of willfully neglecting an animal (two dogs) concerning an incident on July 23 at Neqotkuk.
Trial dates set on multiple charges
Aaron William Rowan, 47, of Bulls Creek, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 for plea on multiple charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts, and three separate trial dates were set.
Rowan was charged with possession of a firearm (a handgun) while prohibited, uttering threats, intimidation to obstruct the course of justice, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, possession of stolen property, and committing mischief, concerning an incident involving a female victim on Sept. 23 at Bulls Creek. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Nov. 14-15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Rowan was released from custody with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, when he appeared in provincial court on Oct. 5 for a decision on his bail. He is residing at a Woodstock residence under strict conditions.
He appeared in court in custody on Sept. 26 and was remanded for a bail hearing.
On Oct. 3, Rowan also faced a separate charge of assaulting another female victim on July 11 at Wotstok. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Sept. 27, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Rowan appeared in provincial court in custody in February for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but was taken back into custody.
Woodstock Police charged him with assault causing bodily harm to another man, assault with a weapon (a metal pipe), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace. He was arrested following an incident on Jan. 10 at Capital Square in downtown Woodstock when a man suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was rescheduled for June 4 and June 11, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Rowan has a lengthy prior criminal record. He was also charged by Woodstock Police with possession of stolen property over $5,000 (a tractor owned by Green Diamond Equipment), stemming from an incident on Dec. 17, 2021, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty to the outstanding charges, and a trial date was rescheduled for May 22, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Not guilty pleas entered
Mitchell LaFrance of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 to answer several charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Oct. 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
LaFrance appeared in court in custody on Oct. 5 for his bail hearing and was released with conditions.
RCMP charged him with breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order in connection with an incident involving a female victim on Oct. 2 at East Brighton. He was also charged with uttering threats and criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25 involving the same complainant.
Returning to court for plea
Lucas Green, 19, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
Green was charged by RCMP with aggravated assault against another man and committing mischief causing property damage to a vehicle in connection with an incident on Oct. 19 at Richmond Corner.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 27 for a fitness hearing. He was found fit to stand trial and released from custody with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Green appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 23 for a bail hearing by video in Fredericton and was remanded for a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital.
Florenceville-Bristol man pleads not guilty
Jordan Ronald Broad, 29, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Oct. 30, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Broad was charged with assault, uttering threats, and assault by choking involving a female victim concerning an incident on Oct. 8 in Florenceville-Bristol. He was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Plea adjourned on drug trafficking charges
Keith Reid, 33, of Fredericton, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 19 to answer drug trafficking charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 16, 2024, at 11:30 a.m.
Reid appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 13 and was denied bail. He was charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a firearm (a shotgun) without a licence, and improper storage of a gun in connection with an incident on Oct. 3 in Hartland. He also faces two counts of breaching a release order, including other matters in Fredericton.
A press release from the RCMP said the charges were laid after a vehicle was stopped in Woodstock, and the driver was arrested at the scene. A search of the individual led to the seizure of a quantity of crystal meth. A 19-year-old female passenger was also found in possession of meth pills and crystal meth and was released from custody until her court appearance.
Police also executed a search warrant at a residence on Main Street in Hartland, where cocaine, crystal meth, meth pills, a loaded shotgun, shotgun shells, weapons and drug paraphernalia were found as part of the investigation.
Plea adjourned until January
Ronald Terry Bowmaster, 36, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Bowmaster was charged by RCMP with breach of probation, failing to comply with the conditions of a peace bond and unlawful entry at a dwelling house concerning an incident on Nov. 30 near Juniper.
He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 1. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Back in custody on new charge
Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 18. She was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged King with breach of a release order for an incident on Dec. 15 in Woodstock.
She also appeared in court on Dec. 5 for plea on multiple charges. Those matters were adjourned until Jan. 2, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
King was charged with three counts of assault, theft and breaking into a dwelling house for a recent incident in Woodstock. She appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 8 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle.
She is also scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on March 25, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., and April 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police. A pre-trial conference was also set for Jan. 15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
King was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21. She was also charged with assaulting a police officer, committing mischief, and resisting arrest for another incident on Nov. 7, 2022, in Woodstock. She appeared in court in custody on March 28 and was released with conditions.
Arrested and released with conditions
Keith Kinney, Jr., 49, of Bath, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 18 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear for trial in October. He was released with conditions and returns to court on Jan. 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. to set a new trial date.
RCMP charged Kinney with assaulting a police officer while threatening to use a weapon (a glass object) following an incident on Jan. 8 in Bath. He pleaded not guilty during an earlier court appearance and told the court he was tasered by police during the incident.
On Dec. 19, he faced a new charge of shoplifting concerning an incident at a store in Bath on Nov. 21. Kinney will enter a plea to that charge at his next court appearance on Jan. 9.
Alleged assault with dog feces
George E. Legacy, 49, of Plaster Rock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Dec. 19 for plea on an unusual assault charge.
Defence Counsel Brent Dickinson appeared on behalf of his client and entered a not-guilty plea. A trial date was set for Sept. 26, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Legacy with assaulting a female victim using dog feces following an incident on Sept. 21 in Plaster Rock.
Woodstock man to stand trial
Christopher James Kitchen, 44, of Beardsley Road, will appear for trial in provincial court on April 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Kitchen was charged with breach of an undertaking. He pleaded not guilty on Dec. 19. He will also appear for trial in provincial court on April 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a criminal harassment charge.
Woodstock Police charged kitchen following an incident on March 13 in Woodstock. The charge involves allegations of repeated communication with a female complainant. Kitchen entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 13. He was released on an undertaking.
Charged with assault with utility knife
Gregory Sparks, 23, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 30, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Sparks was charged with assault with a weapon (a utility knife) involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on April 20 at Centreville. He also faces a charge of breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order.
The court heard Sparks is also facing other charges in Fredericton.
Skiff Lake woman facing several charges
Megan Leigh Harrison, 24, of Skiff Lake, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on multiple charges.
Woodstock Police charged Harrison with uttering threats, assault involving a male victim, unlawful entry at a dwelling house, and breach of an undertaking stemming from an incident on Nov. 18 in Woodstock. She was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
On Dec. 19, she faced another charge of impaired driving for an incident on June 10 in Woodstock. That matter was also set over for plea on Jan. 9.
Woodstock man awaiting trial
Jace Maddox Anderson, 18, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 to monitor his upcoming trial. He returns to court on Feb. 6 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he has secured legal counsel to proceed.
Woodstock Police charged Anderson with assault and uttering threats in connection with an incident at a Woodstock apartment on May 25. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 4, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Anderson also faces a new charge of failing to appear in court on June 29. He will enter a plea at his next court appearance.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Andrew Pelkey, 44, of Plymouth Road, after failing to appear for a plea on Dec. 19.
Pelkey was charged with breaching his release order by violating his curfew following an incident on Sept. 30 in Woodstock.
He appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 30 on eight charges laid by RCMP. The trial was adjourned until Feb. 2, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Pelkey pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon (a belt, glass bottle and stick), assault by choking, uttering threats, assault, pointing a firearm at another person, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (BB guns and a pellet gun), careless use of a firearm, and willfully causing pain to a dog by shooting it with a pellet gun. The charges were laid in connection with incidents between Feb. 1 and March 21 near Richmond Corner. The alleged threats and assaults involve a female victim.
Pelkey appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on March 31. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Plea delayed on charges of kidnapping, pointing a firearm
Ryan Michael Fitzherbert, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 for a plea on multiple charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The court heard he is still trying to secure legal counsel.
Fitzherbert and Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, are each charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and multiple firearm offences following an incident involving a female victim on Oct. 15 in Pembroke.
Bull appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 14 and pleaded not guilty to all 14 charges laid against him by RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 22-23, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. He was denied bail.
Fitzherbert appeared in custody by video for his bail hearing on Oct. 20 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Bull was charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, pointing a firearm at another person, assault while threatening to use a weapon, possession of a gun (a shotgun) to commit an offence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a firearm while prohibited, flight from police, dangerous driving, resisting arrest, careless use of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, and breach of probation. He was remanded and ordered to have no contact with the complainant or his co-accused.
Fitzherbert was charged with kidnapping while using a firearm, unlawful confinement, possession of a gun without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, breach of probation, and breach of a release order.
Fitzherbert is also scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on June 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other separate charges.
He was charged by RCMP with improper storage of a firearm, possession of a gun without a licence, and possession of a prohibited weapon (a switchblade knife) in connection with an incident on Dec. 10, 2021, in Jacksonville. He will also stand trial at the Court of King’s Bench on April 15-17, 2024, on drug trafficking charges.
Grand Falls pair to enter pleas
Sasha Perley, 28, and Michael Langlois-Martell, 33, of Grand Falls, appeared in provincial court for a plea on Dec. 19. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 23, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The court heard they needed more time to secure legal counsel.
Perley was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle (a Toyota Tundra) for an incident on Aug. 4 near Tobique Narrows.
Langlois-Martell was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle (a Toyota Tundra), possession of a firearm without a licence (a pump action shotgun), storage of a gun in a careless manner, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace concerning the same incident.
Perth Andover man facing four charges
Lane Leo Lewis, 23, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by RCMP.
Lewis was charged with assault while carrying a weapon (a machete and two BB guns), assault, and two counts of possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence in connection with an incident on Oct. 4 near Perth-Andover. The charges involve a female victim.
Lewis made a court appearance on Dec. 19 when the matter was adjourned to the new date. The court heard he is still trying to secure legal counsel.
Plea delayed for Woodstock man
Myles Andrew Dymond, 49, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 for plea on several charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Dymond was charged with breach of a no-contact order and breach of an emergency intervention order for an incident on Sept. 17-18 in Woodstock. On Dec. 5, he also faced a new charge of transmitting intimate images without consent.
Dymond first appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 28 and was released with conditions. He was charged with breach of an undertaking by failing to abide by a no-contact order following an incident on Aug. 26 in Woodstock.
On Sept. 19, he faced charges of assault on a female victim on March 26 at Bedell, uttering threats on June 18 in Woodstock, and breach of a no-contact order between Aug. 19 and Aug. 21 in Woodstock.
Dymond was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant. He was also prohibited from the use of firearms.
Preliminary hearing set on sex charges
Joseph Michael Sercerchi, 73, of Bayfield, Ontario, will appear in provincial court in Woodstock for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 25, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. on three sex charges laid by RCMP.
Sercerchi was charged with three counts of indictable sexual assault in connection with incidents which occurred between Jan. 1, 1991, and Dec. 31, 1998, in Woodstock. He elected trial by judge alone at the Court of King’s Bench.
Sercerchi’s defence counsel appeared on his behalf on Dec. 19 and told the court the accused intended to stand trial at the higher court.
Woodstock man facing multiple charges
Braxton Denny, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 to answer multiple charges for different alleged events.
Denny appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 11 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was arrested on a warrant and charged with breach of a release order. He returns to court for plea on Jan. 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Denny appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 11 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions and then failed to return to court for plea.
He was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house and committing mischief concerning an incident on Feb. 18 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Oct. 21, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Denny is also scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 25, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP.
Denny was charged with committing mischief causing property damage and breach of an undertaking on Dec. 9, 2022, at Upper Woodstock, and two counts of assault and committing mischief causing property damage on Dec. 8, 2022, at Upper Woodstock. He was arrested on a warrant for failing to attend court and was released with conditions. Denny entered his not-guilty pleas at a court appearance on April 25.
Neqotkuk man awaiting trial
Todd Allison Sappier, 63, of Neqotkuk, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 23, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. to set a new date for his trial.
RCMP charged Sappier with dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident in connection with an incident on Jan. 8 at Neqotkuk. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for March 1. However, Sappier told the court on Dec. 19 that his legal counsel needed more time to prepare for the trial.
Trial date confirmed for Moncton man
Ryley Smith, 28, of Moncton, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 13 via teleconference for further monitoring about his upcoming trial. He confirmed he has legal counsel to proceed to trial on Feb. 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Smith with assault with a weapon (a bottle), assault involving a female victim, breach of probation, and breach of an undertaking concerning an incident on July 25 in Lower Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty.
Smith appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 8 and was released with conditions. As part of his release, Smith was ordered to report to the police weekly and have no contact with the complainant. He is residing at a residence in Salisbury.
Thomas and McLean to stand trial together
Connell Ross McLean, 27, and Issak Tedford Thomas, 27, of Centreville, remain in custody to await their trial related to a series of incidents, including a police chase and shots fired. They were back in court on Dec. 19 in custody by video to confirm they will be ready to proceed to trial.
McLean appeared in court in custody on Sept. 13 and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Thomas entered his not-guilty plea on all counts at a court appearance on Aug. 30.
Both men will return to court in custody for their trial on Jan. 18-19, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference was held on Dec. 19.
They were each charged by RCMP with the discharge of a firearm (a rifle) with intent, improper storage of a gun, possession of a firearm without a licence, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a weapon, obstructing police, and possession of stolen property (a side-by-side).
Thomas was also charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited and breach of probation. McLean faces additional charges of possession of a firearm while prohibited, flight from police, driving while suspended, breach of probation, and assaulting a police officer with a weapon (a side-by-side).
The two men were arrested following a collision between an off-road vehicle and a police cruiser on Route 105 in Lower Brighton, south of Harland, on July 17. The arrests were related to a Monday morning incident in Speerville, south of Woodstock, which included shots fired at a Speerville resident.
The suspects fled Speerville, leading to an hours-long police search and investigation in several communities, including Lakeville, between Centreville, Woodstock, and Lower Brighton.
Neqotkuk man to be sentenced
Jacob Perley, 32, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 for sentencing on two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until March 19, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Perley was charged by RCMP with breach of a release order, breaking and entering a dwelling house, possessing a weapon dangerous to public peace, assault with a weapon, and using an imitation firearm in connection with a Dec. 16, 2021, incident in the community.
He pleaded guilty to the breach and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace. The remaining charges will be withdrawn by the crown at sentencing.
Perley was also charged with possessing forged documents (cheques) and defrauding the band office of over $5,000 between June 13 and Oct. 6 at Neqotkuk. H returns to court for plea on those charges on Jan. 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Perley will also appear for trial on drug trafficking charges. The trial was set for December but was adjourned until March 27, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. and April 5, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Perley was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, production of cocaine, unlawful possession of ketamine (a date rape drug) for the purpose of trafficking, possession of methamphetamine, obstruction, and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Aug. 26, 2022, at Neqotkuk.
