Sentencing decision on Monday
Desmon Eugene Longstaff, 23, of Back Greenfield Road, returns to provincial court on June 29 at 9:30 a.m. to hear Judge Sebastian Michaud’s decision on his sentence for impaired driving causing bodily harm.
Longstaff pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing bodily harm stemming from an accident on Carleton Street in Woodstock on April 19, 2024. Two other charges of refusing a breathalyzer demand and refusing to provide a blood sample were withdrawn by the Crown.
On April 1, Judge Michaud advised the court he wanted more time to consider case law before making a decision. The judge ordered that written briefs be submitted to the court by both the Crown and defence by May 29.
Crown Prosecutor Charles Couturier recommended Longstaff serve 12 months in jail and be prohibited from driving for at least two years. The Crown also asked for two years of probation for the accused.
The court heard Woodstock Police were called to a residence on Richmond Street around midnight, where two women and a man were found smelling of gasoline and suffering from significant injuries caused by an ATV accident on a sharp turn on nearby Carleton Street. An ambulance was called to the residence, and police proceeded to the accident location, where they spotted a taxi cab stopped on the street and a side-by-side, upside down in a cedar hedge.
Longstaff was still at the scene and admitted to being the driver of the all-terrain vehicle. He sustained only minor injuries in the mishap. A witness told police the group left the Woodstock Legion on the side-by-side in an intoxicated condition.
Defence Counsel Patrick Hurley requested Longstaff receive 12 months of house arrest and two years of probation. He said his client was a youthful offender with no criminal record and a stellar work history. He said Longstaff met his three passengers for the first time on the night of the accident and soon regretted his actions.
Sentencing on sex charge
David Hayden, 74, of Tracey Mills, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m. for a decision on his sentence for soliciting sexual services from a minor.
On June 25, Judge Rose Campbell heard closing submissions from both the Crown and defence and then reserved her verdict. Hayden pleaded guilty to solicitation of a minor for sexual services concerning an incident on June 12, 2023, at Florenceville-Bristol. Another charge of sexual assault was withdrawn by the Crown.
Crown Prosecutor Daniel Standing recommended Hayden spend six months in jail for his crime. The Crown lawyer also requested the accused register with the federal DNA database and the national sex offender registry and that he have no contact with the female complainant. Hayden had no prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel James Crocco suggested his client should receive a conditional sentence order of house arrest, as well as counselling and probation. He stressed that Hayden was a senior with health issues who presented no risk to the community.
“This was not a predatory action,” Crocco explained. “He didn’t make sufficient inquiry as to her age. He was not the architect of the encounter, but that does not excuse the offence. Nobody in this looks very good. Everyone involved knew what was going on.”
During a presentation of the facts, the court heard Hayden was contacted by the complainant and another female through text messages, and both shared explicit photos with him during discussions about sex in exchange for cash. Hayden then picked up a 16-year-old girl in his truck and pulled over into a field beside the road. She consented to a sexual encounter, filmed it with her phone, and was paid $100. Hayden then drove her home and told her not to tell anyone about it. The incident was later reported to police.
180 days or time served
An Ontario man appeared in provincial court in custody on June 26 for sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by the RCMP.
Michael Frost, 56, formerly of Howard Brook, was sentenced to 180 days in jail or time served, and 12 months of probation. He was released from custody and planned to return to Ontario.
Frost pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000 (jewellery) in connection with an incident on Dec. 27, 2025, at a residence in Florenceville-Bristol.
Frost also pleaded guilty to arson for burning a vehicle, breaching an undertaking, and resisting arrest on Jan. 7; uttering threats and resisting arrest on Jan. 6; and breach of an undertaking and resisting arrest on Jan. 17, all in Florenceville-Bristol.
He had a prior criminal record and was denied bail during a court appearance on Feb. 17. Frost was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Decision pending after trial
Patrick Campbell, 29, of Carlingford, appeared in provincial court on June 26 for the conclusion of his trial after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP.
After hearing closing submissions, Judge Henrik Tonning reserved his decision until Aug. 19 at 12 noon. The Crown invited an acquittal on all but two charges of assault and assault causing bodily harm. Defence Counsel was Alex Carleton.
Campbell was charged with breaching a no-contact order and obstructing the course of justice following an incident on March 3, 2025, at Carlingford. He pleaded not guilty and was released with conditions.
Campbell also pleaded not guilty to other charges of sexual assault involving a female victim, assault causing bodily harm, assault by choking, assault with a weapon (a knife), attempting to obstruct justice, and administering a noxious substance, in connection with incidents between 2020 and 2024 in Victoria County.
Trial on multiple charges
Peter Cote, 59, of St. Thomas, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to five charges laid by the RCMP.
Cote was charged with uttering threats and four counts of assault for incidents in July, October and November of 2024 at St. Thomas. The trial was first scheduled for June 26 but was adjourned to the new date.
Peace bond on one set of charges
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Lower Brighton, appeared for trial in provincial court on June 24 on six charges laid by Woodstock Police. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial was cancelled.
Brooks pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault, two counts of unlawful confinement, assault by choking, and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone for an incident on Feb. 19, 2025, in Woodstock. The peace bond will result in the charges being withdrawn.
Brooks was also charged by RCMP with three counts of assault involving a female victim, three counts of assault by choking, one count unlawful confinement, two counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a phone cord), assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, and two counts of breaching a release order (no contact).
The charges were laid in connection with a series of incidents on Nov. 24, 2024, Feb. 12, Feb. 17, May 28, June 9, June 10 and June 11, 2025, in Lower Brighton; on June 3 and June 5, 2025, in Hartland. He pleaded not guilty and trial dates were set for Aug. 20 at 9:30 a.m. and Aug. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
He also appeared in provincial court on May 19 and pleaded not guilty to six more charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was booked for July 12, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring hearing was also set for March 16, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
He pleaded not guilty to breaching a no-contact order, uttering threats, assault involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom and a board), assault by choking and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone on Oct. 28, 2025, at Lower Brighton.
Trial continues in July
Cassidy Guest, 33, of Grand Falls, appeared for trial in provincial court this week after pleading not guilty to several charges laid by Woodstock Police. After two days of proceedings, the trial was adjourned for continuation on July 31 at 1:30 p.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, 2025, in Woodstock.
Beaconsfield man awaits sentence
Tyler Williams, 25, of Beaconsfield, was found guilty after trial when he appeared in provincial court on June 23 for a decision on a mischief charge. His sentencing date was set for Sept. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Williams was charged by RCMP with mischief causing property damage to a car window, stemming from an incident on Nov. 20, 2024, at Beaconsfield. He pleaded not guilty.
Not guilty to identity theft
Christopher Isaiah Eatmon, 31, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on July 8 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to four charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Eatmon was charged with two counts of forgery related to a First Nations status card; identity theft, and fraudulent impersonation for an incident on Oct. 7, 2024, in Woodstock. His trial was scheduled for June 24 but was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard a possible resolution was being sought with the Crown.
Beechwood man charged
Eric Thomas Butler, 40, of Beechwood, will appear for trial in provincial court on July 10 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to fleeing police. His trial was first scheduled for June 17 but was adjourned to the new date when he failed to appear. A warrant of arrest was vacated on June 23.
Butler will also appear for trial May 19, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to a theft charge. Butler was charged with theft from the bottle depot in Bath on Feb. 3. He pleaded not guilty in April.
Sentencing on two charges
Ian Washburn, 55, of Holmesville, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 20 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP.
Washburn pleaded guilty to assaulting another man and committing an indecent act in connection with an incident on Oct. 13, 2024, in Oakland. A second assault charge was withdrawn by the Crown.
On June 26, he was found not guilty after trial on a charge of driving while prohibited for an incident on Feb. 9, 2025, in Oakland.
Sentencing on assault charges
Joshua Hanlon, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 11 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on one assault charge laid by RCMP.
Hanlon was charged by RCMP with assaulting a female victim between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2025, at Neqotkuk. Two assault charges were withdrawn by the Crown. He was scheduled for sentencing on June 25 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Trial decision pending
Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of East Brighton, appeared for trial in provincial court on June 24 on several charges laid by Woodstock Police. After a full day of trial proceedings, the matter was adjourned for decision until Sept. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Phillips pleaded not guilty to fraudulent impersonation, using a credit card knowing it was obtained by fraudulent means, and defrauding Walmart in Woodstock between Aug. 10, 2019, and June 23, 2023.
She also pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry at a dwelling house and illegal possession of methamphetamine on March 31, 2024, in Woodstock.
At an earlier court appearance, Phillips pleaded guilty to breaching her release order (ankle bracelet) and breaking into a dwelling house on July 8, 2025, in Upper Woodstock and guilty to resisting arrest on March 16, 2025, in Wilmot. Another charge of breaching her release order (curfew) on March 17, 2025, was withdrawn.
She also pleaded guilty to flight from police and driving while suspended on Feb. 24, 2024, at Jacksonville. Another charge of dangerous driving was withdrawn by the Crown. A separate charge of driving while suspended on Feb. 6, 2024, was also withdrawn, as well as a breach charge from Jan. 23, 2025.
She appeared in provincial court via video in custody on July 29, 2025, for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions to a rehab facility in Shediac under full house arrest. The court heard she was enrolled in a 12-month program. A sentencing date will be set after the trial matters are concluded.
