Sentence pending in harassment, stalking case
A Clearview man remains in custody while awaiting a judge’s decision on his sentence for harassing and stalking his former partner.
Kyle Laurie Williams, 36, appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on July 4 after changing his plea to guilty on multiple charges laid by RCMP.
After hearing submissions from both the crown and defence counsel, Judge Henrik Tonning reserved his decision on sentence until July 8 at 12:30 p.m.
Williams pleaded guilty to breaching a release order (no-contact) and two counts of criminal harassment concerning incidents in Aroostook between Feb. 27 and March 29 at Aroostook. The harassment charges involve texting a female victim and placing an electronic tracking system in her vehicle.
He also pleaded guilty to criminal harassment (60 text messages) and breaching a no-contact order between Jan. 27 and Feb. 1 in Aroostook. One other charge was withdrawn by the crown.
Williams also pleaded guilty to transmitting intimate images without consent on June 4, 2023, at Centreville when a photo of the victim was posted on Facebook at 4 a.m. and then removed by the accused. The defence argued that there was no evidence anyone had seen the image before it was deleted.
Williams also pleaded guilty to driving without a valid licence on Jan. 25 at Tobique Narrows. He was fined $272 for that offence.
He was denied bail when he appeared in provincial court in custody via video on April 17, after being arrested in March for breaching his release order. He had a limited prior criminal record.
Crown Prosecutor Patricia Gillett recommended 11 months in jail for the accused, minus time served, plus 12 months of probation. Once his remand time is applied, he would have another six months in custody. The crown also requested that Williams be ordered to register with the federal DNA database and that he be prohibited from using firearms and have no contact with the victim.
“There is an escalating pattern of harassment, threats and a blatant disregard for court orders,” Gillett told the court. “He prevented the victim from feeling safe.”
Williams’ former partner read her victim impact statement to the court and described feeling paranoid about being watched and harassed at all hours.
Defence Counsel Nelson Peters asked for a sentence of five months in jail or time served, along with probation. He said Williams took responsibility for his actions, noting the last few months in jail were the first his client ever spent behind bars.
“Sitting in jail has changed him,” Peters contended. “He’s got the message. He’s learned his lesson.”
The defence lawyer said Williams had a good work history on the family farm and was addressing his substance abuse issues.
“He was invading her privacy, but he’s not dangerous,” Peters argued.
A letter written by the accused was submitted to the judge during the sentencing hearing on Friday.
Judge Tonning told the court Williams displayed “seriously reprehensible behaviour,” and described the ordeal as “creepy.” However, Tonning noted that no physical violence was involved in any of the incidents.
Perth-Andover man to stand trial
Lane Leo Lewis, 24, of Perth-Andover, will appear for trial in provincial court on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to 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, 2023, near Perth-Andover. The charges involve a female victim. He was held in custody and then released with conditions.
Awaiting bail hearing
Greg Paul McCormick, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 4 for a fitness hearing following a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital.
He was found fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report. He remains in custody to await a bail hearing on July 30 at 9:30 a.m.
McCormick was charged by RCMP with arson causing damage to a dwelling house, three counts of uttering threats, breaking into a dwelling house to commit mischief, three counts of assaulting a police officer while threatening to use gasoline, and causing injury to a dog by choking it in connection with an incident on June 25 at Wotstak. No plea has yet been entered.
Held in custody
Tanna Wright, 27, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 30 and was remanded on a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police. Her bail hearing was set for July 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Wright appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 17 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She was residing at a residence in Woodstock but was re-arrested.
On May 1, she appeared for trial in provincial court and changed her plea to guilty on five charges laid by RCMP. Her sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 5 at 1:30 p.m.
Wright pleaded guilty to breaching a no-contact order concerning an incident on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 at Weaver. The crown withdrew several other charges.
She also pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (knives and a bat) and two counts of uttering threats on Dec. 16, 2023, in Greenfield, and guilty to theft of a wallet for a separate incident on June 19, 2024, in Perth-Andover.
Remanded for plea
Cole Paul Smith, 30, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 4 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on July 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Smith was arrested on a warrant on June 30. The RCMP charged him with breaching a release order by violating electronic monitoring and mischief, after causing damage to his ankle bracelet during an incident on June 24 at Mapledale. He was also charged with flight from police, breaching his house arrest and dangerous driving for an incident on June 29 at East Brighton.
Smith appeared in provincial court in custody via video for a bail hearing on May 1 and was released with conditions, but subsequently returned to custody. He faces an additional charge of breaching a no-contact order on May 29.
Woodstock Police also charged him with assault with a weapon (a metal stool) and two counts of uttering threats on April 10-11 in Woodstock.
RCMP 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 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.
Case dismissed
Kenneth Greer, 60, of Bloomfield, appeared for trial in provincial court on July 4 after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. Greer was handed a direct verdict of not guilty. The crown failed to call evidence, so the case was dismissed.
Greer was charged with uttering threats, careless use of a firearm, and assault while threatening to use a weapon (a gun) involving a female victim for an incident on Sept. 9, 2023, at Bloomfield.
Trial continues Monday
Matthew Gregory Parker, 40, of Aroostook, appeared for trial in provincial court on July 3 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. After an afternoon of testimony, the trial was adjourned for continuation on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. and July 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Parker was charged with assault involving a female victim, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and resisting arrest on June 30, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol, as well as breaking into a dwelling house to commit mischief and three counts of breaching an undertaking for another incident on Aug. 11, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol.
He appeared in court in custody on Aug. 9, 2024, and was released with conditions.
The trial proceedings on Thursday included testimony about the alleged incident that occurred on June 30, 2024. The court heard about a disturbance at a residence in Florenceville-Bristol and police chasing an individual down the street.
