Judge reluctant to hand Stockford sentence of time served
A Hartland man walked away from a major theft with time served, but the judge who imposed the sentence said he deserved more.
Jonathon Daniel Stockford, 35, of Hartland, appeared in court on April 18 and was sentenced to seven months in jail or time served on four charges laid by the RCMP.
Stockford was charged with theft of fuel from an Esso station in Florenceville-Bristol, breaking into the Sticks and Stones Storage facility on Burnham Road, theft of tires and rims, possession of stolen property, and mischief causing property damage to the storage facility following an incident on Burnham Road on Nov. 14, 2023. He pleaded guilty to four of the charges. The crown withdrew the charge of possession of stolen goods.
Seated in the prisoner’s box, Stockford looked worried when Judge Henrik Tonning said he disagreed with the crown and defence counsel’s joint submission to release the accused with time served.
“This man is a thief,” Judge Tonning told the court. “He simply hasn’t learned that you can’t behave like this. You can’t just help yourself to other people’s property.”
Judge Tonning noted Stockford’s “unbelievable record for property offences” and suggested a 12-month jail sentence was more suitable for the accused.
“In my opinion, the sentence recommended is too light,” said Tonning.
Defence Counsel Alex Pate explained that the crown agreed to seven months or time served because Stockford wore a mask during the crime, so the crown’s case against the accused was not iron-clad. The break-in at the storage facility was captured on video surveillance.
Judge Tonning conceded and released Stockford from custody with time served, but he imposed a stand-alone restitution order. This means the owner of the stolen tires and rims can take civil action against Stockford to recover the cost of the lost property.
Judge Tonning first asked if Stockford could return the tires and rims to the owner, but the court heard he drove to Rosedale and burned the vehicle he used in the break-in with the stolen tires and rims still on it.
Stockford told the judge he planned to get a farm job after his release.
“You’re going to have to pick a lot of rocks to pay for those tires and rims,” Judge Tonning said. “He’s never going to pay for it and she (the owner) is out the cost.”
Holding back tears, Kelsey Smith read her victim impact statement and told the judge she had just purchased a new vehicle. Ten days later, her brand-new tires and rims were stolen from the storage facility. She lost $13,000 in replacement costs.
Stockford hung his head in the prisoner’s box while hearing her statement but showed no emotion. He has a lengthy prior criminal record and has been in custody since his arrest in November. His defence lawyer told the court Stockford was a drug addict since his youth.
Five months in jail for assault, unlawful confinement
Robert Dale McMann, 47, of Woodstock, was sentenced to five months in jail on April 19 for a violent assault on a woman during a domestic dispute.
Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean also placed McMann on 12 months of probation and ordered him to register with the federal DNA database. A 10-year prohibition on firearms was also imposed. He must also attend counselling for mental health, drug addiction and domestic violence.
McMann was found guilty after trial on charges of unlawful confinement and assaulting a female victim by choking her during a Sept. 9, 2021, incident in Woodstock. He was found not guilty on a third charge of uttering threats.
In pronouncing the sentence, Judge McLean noted McMann had a limited prior record that included only one previous criminal code conviction in 2010 for assault causing bodily harm to another man. There was no history of domestic violence on his record.
McLean said the accused was remorseful and was open to attending counselling. He ordered McMann to have no contact with the woman involved in the domestic assault.
“I feel bad about everything,” McMann said before hearing his sentence.
McMann pleaded guilty on Feb. 27 to possessing stolen property (an SD card and batteries) owned by Cook Construction Ltd. on Dec. 22, 2021, in Woodstock and failing to appear in court on Jan. 17, 2023.
For those offences, he received a suspended sentence and 12 months of probation. McMann was also ordered to pay $200 restitution for the stolen property. The crown withdrew one other charge.
The court heard Woodstock Police arrested McMann while he was hiding in the dark in a lumber yard owned by Cook Construction Ltd. Police were called to the scene around 3 a.m. to investigate a theft of copper wire.
Crown Prosecutor Kathleen Jacobs said McMann’s involvement in the theft was minimal, but he was found in possession of the SD card and batteries. The company reported extensive damage to its property due to the incident.
Defence Counsel Steve McNair argued a $37,000 request for restitution from Cook Construction did not involve his client.
Romanian woman handed a three-month sentence
Narghita Cioroaba, 43, appeared in court in custody on April 19 and was sentenced to three months in jail, minus time served, after pleading guilty to crossing the border illegally.
With the help of an interpreter, Cioroaba told the court she regretted her actions and had notified immigration officials she wanted to be sent home after her release so she could return to her family and children. She had no prior criminal record and was in custody since her arrest on March 8.
Cioroaba, her husband Eduard-llie Scripcaru, 41, and Dorel Istrate, 41, were each charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with failing to appear for examination.
They were apprehended by police on March 8 for crossing the international border illegally at Union Corner, the spot of a former port of entry many decades ago.
Scripcaru pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months in jail on March 26.
Istrate was released from custody with conditions after a bail hearing on March 22 and returns to court for a plea on April 25 at 9:30 a.m. Prior to his release, he posted a $2,000 bail bond. Istrate has permanent resident status in Canada.
RCMP arrested them after receiving a call around 1 p.m. from the US Border Patrol about three individuals heading for the international border on foot near Union Corner.
Police tracked them down about 40 minutes later using a police dog. The three suspects were returned to the Canada Border Services Agency at the Woodstock- Houlton border. They told police they rented a vehicle in New York and then abandoned it near the border so they could walk the rest of the way into Canada.
In another incident, two other Romanian men, who have addresses in the United States, appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 27 and pleaded guilty to crossing the international border illegally at Belleville. They were sentenced to several months in jail on March 15.
Arrested and released with conditions
Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 18 on a charge of breaching her curfew laid by Woodstock Police. She was rereleased with conditions and returns to court for plea on April 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Phillips appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 2 on three other charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was released with conditions, including a curfew, and ordered to return to court for plea on April 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Phillips was charged with possession of methamphetamine, breaking into a dwelling house on March 31 in Woodstock, and flight from police on Feb. 6.
She is also scheduled for trial on Jan. 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. about other separate charges. She appeared in court on Feb. 20 to get a new trial date after coming to court in January unprepared for her trial.
Phillips was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of stolen property (a Sobeys gift card) in connection with an incident on May 30, 2022, in Woodstock.
Held for bail hearing
Gary Frederick Kilcollins, 48, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 18 and was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on April 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged Kilcollins with breaking into a dwelling house, theft of a TV, and breach of probation for an incident between April 8 and April 16 in Woodstock. He was also charged with theft from the Woodstock Superstore on March 24 and theft from the Thrift Boutique on April 13. A mischief charge was also laid for an incident on Jan. 2 when a window was broken at another property in town.
Charged with two break-ins
Ian Stewart Bishop, 42, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 18 on charges related to two break-ins in the village. He was remanded to jail and will return to court in custody for a bail hearing on April 25 at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP charged Bishop in connection with two break-ins, one at the local civic centre and another at a dwelling house in Perth-Andover on March 30 when tools were stolen. No plea has yet been entered to the charges.
Agreed to peace bond
Britney Waite, 33, of Centreville, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on April 16 after pleading guilty to an assault charge. She agreed to sign a six-month peace bond.
RCMP charged Waite with assaulting a minor in connection with an incident on July 17, 2023, at Centreville. The court heard she slapped the victim twice in the face.
Conditional discharge and probation
Samantha Dawn Scott, 32, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on April 17 and changed her plea to guilty on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. She received a conditional discharge and six months of probation.
Woodstock Police charged Scott with possession of stolen property, a bank debit card, stemming from an incident on April 14, 2022, in Woodstock. She also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 18 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear.
The accused disagreed with facts at sentencing
Tanya Tribe, 43, of Greenfield, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on April 17 after changing her plea to guilty on three charges laid by RCMP. She refuted the facts presented by the crown before sentencing, and the matter was sent back for trial on Aug. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Tribe was charged with two counts of criminal harassment in connection with incidents between Aug. 10 and Aug. 12, 2022, in Windsor, and on Sept. 12, 2022, in Florenceville-Bristol, and one count of uttering threats for another incident between Aug. 10 and Aug. 12, 2022, in Windsor.
Back in custody after three days
Stacey Harry Broad, 56, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 18 on a charge of breaching a release order only three days after leaving custody. The matter was adjourned until May 9 at 1:30 p.m. for bail hearing and plea. He remains in custody.
On April 15, Broad appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on multiple assault charges laid by RCMP. He was released with conditions and ordered to return to court for plea on May 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Broad was charged with 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.
Arrested on threat charge
Jacob Jinson, 25, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 17 to answer a threat charge. He was released from custody with conditions and returns to court for plea on May 14 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Jinson with uttering threats for an incident on April 10 at Somerville.
Sentencing set for Bath man
Keith Kinney, Jr., 49, of Bath, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 18 and pleaded guilty to four charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court for sentencing on May 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Kinney was arrested on a warrant and held in custody after he failed to appear in provincial court to set a new date for his trial. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 18, 2023, after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear for trial in October. He was released with conditions but then failed to return to court again.
On April 18, Kinney pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to appear in court on Jan. 9 and Oct. 16, 2023; resisting arrest on Jan. 8, 2023, in Bath; and theft from a store in Bath on Nov. 21, 2023.
The crown withdrew one other assault charge against police.
Kinney went on a rant during the hearing, telling the court he expected to receive a sentence of time served at his next appearance. Judge Henrik Tonning and Defence Counsel Alex Carleton both told him to be quiet during the proceedings.
Sentencing set for Neqotkuk woman
Tammy Schloemer, 57, of Neqotkuk, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on July 8 at 1:30 p.m. after changing her plea to guilty on charges laid by RCMP and Woodstock Police.
Schloemer was not present in court on April 17, but her defence counsel entered the guilty pleas on her behalf via teleconference.
She was charged by RCMP with assault while threatening to use a weapon (a wooden stick) against another woman and committing mischief, causing property damage to a window in relation to an incident on Oct. 3, 2021, at Neqotkuk. Woodstock Police also charged her with shoplifting at the Superstore on April 20, 2023.
Schloemer pleaded guilty to the store theft and the mischief charge. The crown withdrew the assault charge. A warrant will be held on file until her next court appearance.
Theft charge withdrawn
Sheila Ann Paul, 55, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 17. She had been arrested earlier that morning on a warrant for being late for her trial.
Paul was charged by Woodstock Police with stealing from the Atlantic Superstore on April 20, 2023, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew the charge, and she was released from custody.
In custody awaiting plea
Hilton Romeo Fredericks, 26, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 18 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on May 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Fredericks appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 15 to answer a third charge of breaching his release order. Woodstock Police charged him with being at large on a release order on April 13. He was wearing an ankle bracelet at the time.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on April 11 for a bail hearing on a charge of breaching his release order. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on that charge on May 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged him with breaching his release order by being at large at a Woodstock residence and by violating a no-contact order on April 6.
Fredericks appeared in court in custody on April 4 and was charged with assaulting another man concerning an incident on April 2 in Woodstock. He was released with conditions and ordered to reside in Kirkland.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 18 on a charge of breaching his release order laid by Woodstock Police. He was released with conditions at that time but was brought back into custody.
Fredericks appeared in provincial court on March 12 and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for Jan. 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The court heard that the trial date would have to be moved since he was in custody.
Woodstock Police charged him with assault involving a female victim and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Jan. 23 in Woodstock. He was brought into custody on Jan. 26 and spent the weekend in jail.
Couple facing trafficking, firearm charges
Patrick Thomas Tatlock, 59, and Marlene Donovan, 55, of Wapske, appeared in provincial court on April 18 to face drug trafficking and firearm charges.
Tatlock appeared in court in custody by video and returns for plea on May 14 at 9:30 a.m. He was denied bail following a bail hearing in January.
He was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it concerning an incident on Dec. 12, 2023, at Wapske. He appeared in court in custody on Dec. 13, 2023, after being arrested on multiple charges by RCMP.
Tatlock was also charged with three counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited, two counts of improper storage of a gun, and three counts of possession of stolen property concerning incidents on Dec. 3 and Dec. 12, 2023, in Wapske. Two other charges of altering a manufacturer’s serial number were also laid under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Tatlock also faces charges under the Fish and Wildlife Act.
Donovan also appeared in court on April 18. She was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it, three counts of possession of stolen property (an ATV, licence plates, and a snowmobile), two counts of possession of a firearm without a licence, and improper storage of a firearm for an incident on Dec. 12, 2023, at Wapske. She also returns to court for plea on May 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Returning to court for plea
Terrance Wright, 60, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 18 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on May 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Wright with assaulting another man and two counts of uttering threats concerning an incident on Feb. 24 in Woodstock.
Wright also appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 14, 2023. The RCMP charged him with three counts of uttering threats against a female victim, committing mischief causing property damage, and breaching a no-contact order in connection with incidents on Dec. 7 and Dec. 11, 2023, at Greenfield. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for May 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Greenfield man in custody awaiting trial
Dustin Arthur Hawksley, 28, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 18 for monitoring two trials on charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until April 25 at 9:30 a.m., when new trial dates will be set.
RCMP charged Hawksley with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet), escaping lawful custody, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on Dec. 6, 2023, at Greenfield. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
The charges allege Hawksley removed his ankle bracelet, and when under arrest, he allegedly punched a police officer in the face, kicked police while they were loading him into a vehicle, and tried to make his escape.
Hawksley was also charged by RCMP with break and enter at a dwelling house, two counts of assault on a female victim, and assault with a weapon (a plate) in connection with an incident on July 2, 2023, at Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police also charged him with assaulting a female, assault by choking and breach of an undertaking for another incident on Aug. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Hawksley appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing in September and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was also placed under house arrest at a residence in Greenfield but was brought back into custody in December. On Dec. 20, he appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail.
In custody awaiting plea
Nicholas Carl Manzer, 26, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 18 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until April 25 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Manzer appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on April 5 and was remanded to jail to await his plea. He was arrested on a warrant after he failed to appear in provincial court on March 19.
RCMP charged him with possession of a firearm (a rifle) while prohibited, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a stolen truck, and improper storage of a firearm in relation to an incident on Nov. 11, 2023, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions but failed to return to court.
The court heard he is also facing new charges of breaching his release order and mischief causing property damage to his ankle bracelet for a separate incident at Wotstak.
Guilty pleas on a raft of charges
Brady Melvin Crain, 27, of Wicklow, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 18 and pleaded guilty to a raft of charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for May 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Crain pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching his curfew on Feb. 23, 2023, at Perth Andover and on Dec. 6, 2021 at Mount Pleasant; guilty to taking a vehicle without consent and breach of curfew on Aug. 20, 2022, at Perth Andover; guilty to breach of an undertaking on Oct. 28, 2022, at Perth Andover; guilty to taking a vehicle without consent on and breach of an undertaking on Jan. 5, 2023, at Perth Andover; guilty to failing to appear in court on Oct. 9, 2023, in Bath; guilty to failing to wear his ankle bracelet and flight from police between Oct. 9, 2023 and Feb. 13; guilty to mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet on Oct. 9, 2023; guilty to breach of a release order and failing to appear in court between Jan. 17 and Feb. 13 at Johnville; guilty to being at large on a release order, possession of a stolen ATV, two counts of assault a police officer and resisting arrest on Feb. 13 at Johnville; and guilty to break and enter at a dwelling house on Feb. 13. Several other charges were withdrawn by the crown.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 14 and was remanded to jail following a bail hearing. He was arrested on a warrant.
Crain was also charged with assault on a female victim and breach of an emergency intervention order concerning incidents on April 29, 2021, and March 14, 2021, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date was set for July 27, 2023, but he failed to appear. He will be sentenced on all charges on May 16.
Woodstock man awaits sentencing
Christopher James Kitchen, 44, of Beardsley Road, appeared for trial in provincial court on April 18 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing date was set for July 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Kitchen was charged with breach of an undertaking and criminal harassment following an incident on March 13 in Woodstock. The harassment charge involves allegations of repeated communication with a female complainant.
Sentencing in May in case of child luring
Brian Trevor Fox, 48, of Meductic, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on May 8 at 1:30 p.m. on a charge of child luring. His sentencing was set for April 18 but was adjourned to the new date at the crown’s request.
Fox pleaded guilty to using a computer system to lure a child (female minor) in connection with incidents between Nov. 1 and Nov. 26, 2019, at Meductic. The crown withdrew three other charges laid by the RCMP.
Graphic evidence submitted by the crown included transcripts of several sexually explicit messages and photos exchanged between Fox and the victim during online conversations on Facebook over two months.
Conditional sentence order on two charges
Steven Alonzo Wright, 41, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on April 18 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He received a six-month conditional sentence order, including two months of house arrest.
Wright was charged with flight from police, breach of probation, breach of an undertaking, and failing to appear in court. He pleaded guilty to two charges, and the crown withdrew the remaining charges.
Grafton man to stand trial
Matthew Allan Dukeshire, 33, of Grafton, appeared for trial in provincial court on April 19 after pleading not guilty to a charge of impaired driving.
Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean adjourned the trial to Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. because Dukeshire still needed to secure legal counsel to proceed. The RCMP charged him following an incident on May 9, 2023, in Lindsay.
