90 days in jail for domestic assault
Hilton Romeo Fredericks, 26, of Kirkland, was sentenced to 90 days in jail or time served when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 26 on charges related to domestic assault.
Judge Sebastian Michaud also placed him on 18 months of probation and ordered him to seek counselling for mental health and drug addiction. He remains in custody on other matters in Fredericton.
Fredericks has been in jail since May 2024 following remand for aggravated assault on a minor in Fredericton on March 21, 2023. His trial is set for March 3-14 in Fredericton Provincial Court.
In Woodstock on Wednesday, Defence Counsel Wanda Severns told the court Fredericks struggles with serious mental health issues and drug addiction. He had no prior criminal record as a result of a conditional discharge.
Fredericks pleaded guilty to assaulting a female victim between Jan. 14 and Jan. 22, 2024, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew a second assault charge.
The court heard about a domestic dispute between the accused and his former girlfriend at a residence in Woodstock. The woman told police that Fredericks pushed her, lifted her off the ground, yelled in her face, pulled her hair, and wanted to trap her in a bedroom. He also kicked in the bathroom door and produced a razor blade, slitting his wrist and then holding the blade to his own throat. He was arrested by Woodstock Police and detained under the Mental Health Act.
In her victim impact statement, the woman said Fredericks was abusive and ruined her life. She wanted no further contact with him or his family.
“You have ruined everything,” she said in her written statement to the court.
He also pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on Jan. 23, 2024, and breaching a release order (no-contact) on April 6, 2024, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew another breach charge on April 13, 2024.
Fredericks agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond related to a charge of assaulting another man on April 2, 2024, in Woodstock. The peace bond will result in that charge being withdrawn.
Fredericks appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 7, 2024, and was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was later arrested in Fredericton.
Wotstak man in custody on six charges
Greg Paul McCormick, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for a bail hearing on six charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. His bail hearing was adjourned until March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
McCormick was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon (a taser) while prohibited from having it and possession of a prohibited weapon without a licence concerning an incident on Feb. 25 in Woodstock.
He was also charged with breach of probation, mischief causing property damage to a truck, and possession of a weapon (a BB gun) to commit an offence on Feb. 25 at Wotstak. Another breach of probation charge was laid for an incident on Feb. 9 at Wotstak.
Denied bail on several charges
Jorge Heinz Fenske, 56, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for a bail hearing on charges laid by RCMP. He was denied bail and remanded to jail. Fenske returns to court in custody for plea on March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Fenske was charged with breaching an undertaking (no-contact order) in connection with an incident on Feb. 1 at Greenfield and breach of an undertaking (no contact), assault with a weapon and uttering threats between Feb. 14-15 at Greenfield.
He is also scheduled to appear in provincial court on April 1 at 9:30 a.m. to answer multiple other charges laid by the RCMP.
Fenske was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom), and unlawful confinement for an incident on Nov. 16, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was also charged with assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats and taking a vehicle without consent following an incident on Dec. 10, 2024, at Wotstak.
30 days house arrest
Stephen Manfred Spiegler, 62, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 26 for sentencing on a driving offence. He received 30 days of house arrest after pleading guilty to driving while prohibited on a Canada-wide order issued in Ontario in 2023.
Woodstock Police charged Spiegler in connection with an incident on Feb. 9, 2024, on Main Street in Woodstock. He had a limited prior criminal record. Another charge of driving while suspended was withdrawn by the crown.
Spiegler was also charged with shoplifting at the Atlantic Superstore following incidents in Woodstock on Feb. 9 and Feb. 2, 2024. The shoplifting charge was moved to the alternative measures program and was later withdrawn.
Pair charged in shooting at Mainstream
Patrick Harris, 40, of Fredericton, and Tamara Hamilton, 30, of Woodstock, are both facing charges following a shooting in Mainstream on Feb. 17. They will both appear in provincial court on March 11 at noon.
Harris appeared in court in custody by video on Feb. 27 when his bail hearing was adjourned to the new date. He told the court he was also awaiting a hearing on a breach charge in Fredericton.
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. She appeared in court in custody on Feb. 27 after arriving late for court. Her matter was adjourned to the new date, and she was re-released.
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.
Charged with drug trafficking
Charles Giberson, 46, of Rothesay, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 28 to answer a charge of drug trafficking laid by Woodstock Police.
Giberson was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from an incident on July 24, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking and returns to court for plea on March 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Three-day trial for Limestone man
Riley Cowper, 20, of Limestone, will appear in provincial court in custody for his three-day trial on March 3, following an alleged violent attack on another local man.
RCMP charged Cowper with attempted murder by using a hammer and a wrench to assault Rodney Butler, mischief causing property damage to a car window, uttering threats, and robbery of a vehicle in connection with an incident on Aug. 10, 2024, at Jackson Falls.
He entered his not-guilty plea at a court video appearance on November 27, 2024. The trial dates were set for March 3, 10, and 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
He was arrested on Aug. 13, 2024, and ordered to have no contact with Butler, who police said was treated at a hospital for injuries and later released. Cowper waived his bail until later.
On Feb. 21, Defence Counsel T.J. Burke advised the court a resolution was being sought with the crown.
Facing assault charges
Jeffrey Clark, 41, of Newbridge, will appear in provincial court on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two assault charges.
RCMP charged Clark with assaulting a female victim and assault by choking concerning an incident on Feb. 1 at Wicklow. He made his first court appearance on Feb. 25 and was released on an undertaking.
Returning for plea
Nicole Gagnon, 42, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge.
RCMP charged Gagnon with assaulting a male victim in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, in Bath. She made her first court appearance on Feb. 25 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.
Released on an undertaking
Gabriel VanHorne, 24, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 25 at 9:30 a.m.
VanHorne was charged by RCMP with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on Jan. 29 at Hartley Settlement. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Charged with fleeing police
Brett Roger Chase, 26, of Central Waterville, will appear in provincial court on March 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Chase was charged with fleeing police following an incident in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Feb. 25, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Alleged assault at Dead Creek
Bradley Collicott, 50, of Dead Creek, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 25 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Collicott with assault involving a female victim following an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, at Dead Creek. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Agreed to peace bond
Michael Peter Clark of Woodstock appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 19 on an assault charge. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.
Clark appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 8, 2024, and was released with conditions. The court heard he turned himself in to the police after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Woodstock Police charged Clark with assaulting another man in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 14, 2023. He pleaded not guilty. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.
Gladwyn man to stand trial (UPDATED)
Billy Joe Pelletier, 39, of Gladwyn, appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 27 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. He appeared without a lawyer, and his trial was adjourned until April 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Pelletier was charged with impaired driving in connection with an incident on Nov. 9, 2023, in Rowena.
Fined $1,300 for impaired driving
Dallas Adrian Bernard, 24, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 27 and changed his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. He was fined $1,300 and prohibited from driving for one year.
RCMP charged Bernard following an incident on Nov. 17, 2023, near Perth-Andover.
Bail hearing delayed
Tanna Wright of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for a bail hearing after being arrested one day after her release. She waived her bail until later and returns to court on March 11 at 9:30 a.m. to set a new date for her bail hearing.
Wright was charged with breaching her release order (curfew) concerning an incident on Feb. 21 in Woodstock. She appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 20 for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle, but returned to custody the next day.
RCMP charged Wright with breaching a no-contact order, assault, assault by choking and uttering threats against another woman concerning incidents on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 at Weaver.
She is also scheduled for trial on July 10 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to assault with a weapon and uttering threats on Dec. 16, 2023, in Greenfield and theft of a wallet in connection with another separate incident.
Remanded on breach charge
Jacob Alexander Roy, 27, of Windsor, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 to answer a breach charge laid by RCMP. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Roy was charged with breaching a release order by violating the conditions of his house arrest (ankle bracelet) following an incident on Feb. 8 at Coldstream. He has been in custody since his arrest.
Roy was also charged by Woodstock Police with possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking, breach of a release order, possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 3, 2024.
Neqotkuk man still in custody
Kyrin Moulton, 19, of Grand Falls, formerly of Neqotkuk, appeared in court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for a bail hearing. The hearing was adjourned until March 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Moulton was charged by RCMP with aggravated assault involving another man, breaching a release order, and breach of probation for an incident on Nov. 23, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He had a prior criminal record.
On Feb. 18, he appeared in court in custody for sentencing after pleading guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. He was handed 60 days in jail or time served and 12 months of probation. He was then taken back into custody.
Moulton was charged with assault involving a female victim, breach of probation and possession of stolen prescription medication stemming from an incident on Oct. 22, 2024, in Perth Andover.
Released with conditions
Justin Ryan Shea, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Feb. 27. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on March 25 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Shea with breaching his release order concerning an incident on Feb. 18 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to two drug trafficking charges. His trial was set for Jan. 26 and Jan. 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Shea was charged by Woodstock Police with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with incidents in Woodstock on June 30 and May 2, 2024. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Shea appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged by Woodstock Police with break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024, and an additional charge of breaching an undertaking (curfew). He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, James Blair Hovey, 27, of Perth Andover, faces charges for the same alleged break-in and will stand trial with Shea on July 14. Hovey is also facing additional charges, and he remains in custody.
Shea was also charged with mischief causing property damage and break, enter and theft at the East Coast Truck Wash for an incident on March 17, 2024, in Lower Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Jan. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was scheduled for Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Shea’s new defence counsel requested monitoring on March 25 to review all the dates for trial.
In custody on eight charges
James Blair Hovey, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for plea on several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until March 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Hovey was charged with assaulting another man, theft of a vehicle and breaching his curfew on Oct. 25, 2024, at Perth-Andover; and flight from police, assaulting police, theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving and breaching his curfew on Nov. 27, 2024, in Plaster Rock. He waived his bail until later.
At an earlier court appearance, Hovey was also charged by Woodstock Police with breach of probation and break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.
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. for the continuation of 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 the 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, 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.
Trial testimony continues
Christopher Hazen Hamilton, 50, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 28 for the continuation of his trial after pleading not guilty to 12 charges laid by Woodstock Police. Testimony continued late into the afternoon on Friday.
On Jan. 8, Judge Sebastian Michaud heard testimony from police officers and the female victim who described horrific details of domestic violence involving the accused.
Hamilton appeared in custody by video on June 10, 2024, and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged with assault involving a female victim, assault by choking, three counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a broken teacup) and attempting to cause injury and suffering to a dog, concerning incidents between March 1 and May 24, 2024, in Woodstock.
Hamilton was also charged with assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and mischief causing property damage on May 25, 2024, and assaulting a female victim and assault with a weapon (a cigar) on May 26, 2024. The alleged incidents occurred in Woodstock. He spent several days in remand before his release.
Clearview man awaiting trial
Kyle Laurie Williams, 36, of Clearview, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 26 and pleaded not guilty to a breach charge laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for July 10 at 9:30 a.m.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 6 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged Williams with breaching a no-contact order and failing to appear in court. Judge Henrik Tonning imposed a prohibition on firearms as part of his release and ordered him to stay under house arrest at the family farm.
Williams is also awaiting trial on another charge of transmitting intimate images without consent concerning an incident on June 4, 2023, in Centreville. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was rescheduled for July 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Sentencing rescheduled
Collin Francis Bear, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 26 after pleading guilty to an assault charge laid by RCMP.
His sentencing was adjourned until March 19 at 9:30 a.m. to allow for the submission of a victim impact statement.
Bear was charged with assault, two counts of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) involving a female victim, possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence (an axe) in connection with an incident on Aug. 26, 2023, at Neqotkuk. He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
On Nov. 21, 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) and the remaining charges were withdrawn by the crown.
Pair jointly charged with offence
Avory Saige Vatali, 22, and Alexander Timothy Gordon Jansen, 22, both of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 26 to answer a charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Vatali and Jansen were jointly charged with failing to provide the necessities of life to another person concerning a recent incident in Woodstock. They elected trial by judge alone at the Court of King’s Bench. A date for their trial will be held on the next Motion’s Day on April 1.
New Demark man has two charges
Damian Pelletier, 30, of New Denmark, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Feb. 28 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.
The matter was adjourned until March 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel, who appeared in court on his behalf. Pelletier was charged with driving while impaired by drugs and mischief causing property damage for an incident on June 30, 2022, in Waterville.
Trial confirmed for Neqotkuk man
Thomas Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Feb. 28 for monitoring about his trial after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for May 26 at 1:30 p.m.
On Friday, his defence counsel confirmed he will be ready to proceed to trial. Perley was charged with refusing a breathalyzer and leaving the scene of an accident stemming from an incident on March 29, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Plea adjourned to new date
Clay Hargrove, 30, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 28 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded guilty to two sets of charges, and a sentencing date was set for April 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Hargrove appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 17, 2024, and waived his bail until later. He pleaded guilty on Friday to possession of a stolen vehicle, flight from police, and driving while prohibited following an incident on Dec. 8, 2024, at Tobique Narrows. Another charge of driving while suspended was withdrawn by the crown.
He also pleaded guilty to breaking into a cabin on Sept. 4, 2024, at Tobique Narrows. Two other charges related to the incident were withdrawn.
Hargrove maintained a not-guilty plea on other charges of aggravated assault involving a male victim and possession of a stolen motorcycle for an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Upper Kent. He returns to court for monitoring on March 27 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
In custody on 22 charges
Yves Levesque, 36, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 28 for plea on multiple charges laid by RCMP. The matters were adjourned until March 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Levesque is facing a total of 22 charges. He was charged with uttering threats and fleeing police for an incident on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin, Victoria County. He waived his bail until later.
He was also charged with assaulting a female victim on Aug. 14, 2024, at New Denmark; two counts of assault on the same female between Oct. 1 and Oct. 27, 2024, at McLaughlin; driving while prohibited, uttering threats, assault and assault by choking on Oct. 28, 2024, at Perth-Andover; uttering threats, assault and assault by choking on Oct. 31, 2024, at McLaughlin; uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a helmet), assault causing bodily harm, break and enter at a dwelling house, and mischief causing property damage on Dec. 20, 2024, at McLaughlin; break and enter and theft, and mischief causing property damage at a shed on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin; and theft of prescription medication and a cell phone on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin.
Johnville man awaits sentencing
Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 27, of Johnville, will appear in provincial court in custody for sentencing on two charges on March 5 at 1 p.m. His sentencing was first set for Feb. 27 but was adjourned to the new date.
O’Donnell was denied bail on Jan. 9. He was charged with possessing stolen property (cheques) in Beechwood on Dec. 16, 2023, and mischief causing property damage on Feb. 15, 2024. The RCMP laid the charges. He changed his plea to guilty.
O’Donnell pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in connection with an incident in Beechwood between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021. His trial date was set for Jan. 16. After one day of testimony, the trial was adjourned for final submissions on Jan. 31. A verdict is expected to be delivered on March 5.
The court heard he was also facing other charges in Edmundston. O’Donnell has a prior criminal record.
