Four months in jail for assaulting police, domestic violence
Jack Michael Pirie, 20, of Woodstock, was sentenced on July 21 to four months in prison for a violent assault on a former girlfriend and for attacking the police during his arrest.
Judge Henrik Tonning also placed Pirie on 18 months of probation and ordered him to register with the federal DNA database. He must abstain from drugs and seek counselling for substance abuse.
He pleaded guilty to assault, assault by choking involving a female victim, and uttering threats in connection with an incident on May 1-2, 2024, in Woodstock.
He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, causing bodily harm, and resisting arrest on June 8, 2024, in Woodstock. Other charges of assaulting a police officer and assault with a weapon (scissors and a knife) involving a female victim were withdrawn by the crown.
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Tonning denounced Pirie’s violent behaviour, calling it “beyond the pale, utterly unacceptable and as bad as it gets.” The court heard Pirie was trained in martial arts and was under the influence of drugs when he launched a vicious attack on his former girlfriend and the police.
“This was not a one-off situation,” Tonning told the court. “There were two separate incidents within a month. Both were serious and beyond the norm of what we see in these cases in provincial court.”
Tonning said Pirie was in a rage when he went to his former girlfriend’s residence for his belongings in May 2024. He threatened and pushed her grandfather out of the way and then put his girlfriend in his car. He then drove to a dead-end road where he pinned her down, strangled her, called her names, uttered threats and cut off her clothes with a knife.
On June 8, 2024, he woke her up at his residence, punched her, undressed her, and used a knife and scissors to threaten her. When the police arrived, he initiated his martial arts training to attack two officers, punching them repeatedly. When he was finally subdued and taken into custody, he vomited in the police car and on one officer. The court heard he was under the influence of magic mushrooms at the time.
In her victim impact statement, the young woman said Pirie terrorized her and she would “never escape the shadow” of his violent abuse. Pirie told the judge he had no comments to make about his actions, but apologized to the court.
Pirie appeared in provincial court in custody on June 10, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. The court heard he entered a rehab facility in Moncton for three months. He had no prior criminal record.
Remanded for bail hearing
Brody O’Donnell, 22, of Campbell Settlement, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 18 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing was adjourned until July 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
O’Donnell was charged by RCMP with assaulting police, uttering threats, and resisting arrest for an incident on July 17 at Campbell Settlement. He appeared in court in custody via teleconference on July 17 and was remanded.
Held in custody
Trevor Gerald McDougall, 34, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 21. He was denied bail and will return to court in custody for plea on July 31 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged McDougall with assaulting a female victim and breach of probation in connection with an incident on July 17 in Woodstock.
Sentencing decision adjourned
Amy Moulton, 48, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 22 for sentencing after pleading guilty to two charges laid by RCMP.
After hearing submissions from the crown and defence counsel, Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on sentencing until Aug. 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Moulton pleaded guilty to impaired driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident following an incident on Sept. 28, 2024, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew a third charge. She had a limited prior criminal record with one previous conviction for impaired driving.
The crown requested six months of house arrest for Moulton, along with 12 months of probation and a one-year driving prohibition.
Judge Lee ordered Moulton to enroll in a treatment program for alcohol abuse and then return to court for sentencing, explaining house arrest would not be a solution for the accused when she was still drinking.
Moulton was charged after police received a report of a vehicle causing four minor collisions while erratically travelling through the community one day. Police stopped Moulton in her driveway and informed her that she had been involved in an accident. Her blood alcohol reading was over twice the legal limit.
Jacksonville man awaiting trial
Craig Laskey, 35, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court on July 22 for a monitoring hearing regarding his trial after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP. He confirmed that he has legal counsel and can proceed to the trial date on Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Laskey was charged with sexual assault for an incident on Aug. 14, 2024, at Jacksonville, and assault by choking and mischief on Aug. 21, 2024, at Bedell.
Holmesville man charged
Brent Demerchant, 58, of Holmesville, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. to answer three charges laid by RCMP.
Demerchant was charged with assault with a weapon (a rock), assault involving a female victim, and uttering threats for an incident on June 22 at Holmesville. He made his first court appearance on July 18 and was released on an undertaking.
Trial date pending
Samuel Martin, 45, of Plaster Rock, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial after pleading not guilty to an assault charge.
Martin was charged with assault causing bodily harm to another man concerning an incident on March 30 at Plaster Rock. He entered his not-guilty plea at his first court appearance on July 18.
Released on an undertaking
Kerry Sheppard, 56, of Weston, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on seven charges laid by RCMP.
Sheppard was charged with assault by choking involving a female victim, two counts of assault, two counts of uttering threats, improper storage of a firearm, and possession of seven firearms without a licence in connection with an incident on June 19 at Weston. He made his first court appearance on July 22 and was released on an undertaking.
Bail hearing and new charges
Samuel Robert Crewe, 30, of Jacksonville, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on July 24 at 10 a.m. for a bail hearing and to answer new charges of drug trafficking.
Crewe was charged by the Woodstock Police with being at large on a release order, having violated his house arrest, stemming from an incident on June 24 in Woodstock.
He now faces additional charges of possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking on March 19 in Woodstock.
A co-accused, Kaylee Smith, has also been charged with drug trafficking and two counts of identity theft concerning the same incident on March 19 in Woodstock. She returns to court for plea on Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe also appeared in provincial court on June 3 and pleaded not guilty to three other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for July 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe was charged with flight from police, dangerous driving and breach of a release order following an incident on May 6 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 18 and pleaded not guilty to four additional charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Crewe was charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine, flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited in connection with an incident in Kirkland on Jan. 4. He has a prior criminal record.
Arrested on a warrant
Jayson Lee O’Hagan, 21, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 22 after being arrested on warrant. He failed to appear in court for sentencing on June 26.
Judge Karen Lee remanded O’Hagan to jail to await a bail hearing on July 25 at 1:30 p.m.
At an earlier court appearance, O’Hagan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and breaching a release order on Sept. 15, 2024, near Bairdsville. The crown withdrew several other charges laid by RCMP.
O’Hagan appeared in provincial court in custody on May 8 and was released with conditions.
Plea adjourned
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Lower Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on 20 charges laid by RCMP. He was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on July 8 and was released until his court appearance on Tuesday.
Brooks appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on June 19 and was released from custody with conditions (ankle bracelet).
Brooks was charged with five counts of assault involving a female victim, four counts of assault by choking, three counts of 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 to commit an offence, mischief causing damage to a cell phone, 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 and 17, May 28, June 9, 10, and 11, in Lower Brighton, and June 3 and 5 in Hartland, as well as on Feb. 19 in Woodstock. He was arrested and taken into custody on June 12.
Trial on five charges
Andrew St. Peter, 32, of Plaster Rock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 22 for a monitoring hearing regarding his trial. He did not attend court due to being in hospital for mental health issues. His defence lawyer was present via teleconference and confirmed he has counsel to proceed to trial.
St. Peter appeared in provincial court on April 8 via teleconference and pleaded not guilty to five charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for April 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
St. Peter was charged with two counts of breaching a release order by failing to report to police between Jan. 1 and March 11 at Weaver, and three counts of uttering threats on March 10 at Weaver. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 13 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
On Tuesday, the court heard he also has a weapons charge being transferred from Edmundston.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Dana MacLean, 59, of no fixed address, after he failed to appear in provincial court on July 22 for a monitoring hearing regarding his trial.
MacLean will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 28 at 1:30 p.m. He pleaded not guilty to theft and mischief charges laid by RCMP. He was charged with committing mischief causing property damage and indictable theft of copper wire in connection with an incident on July 24, 2024, near Plymouth Road.
In custody awaiting plea
Allan Charles McLaughlin, 63, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 22 for plea on weapons charges related to a domestic dispute. The matter was adjourned until July 31 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard a resolution is being sought with the crown.
McLaughlin was denied bail on May 29. He was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a nine-millimetre handgun), pointing a firearm at a female victim, assault with a weapon (a handgun), and careless use of a firearm in connection with an incident on April 13 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on April 15 in Canterbury.
The Woodstock Police attended a residence on April 13 to respond to a call regarding a domestic dispute. During the course of their investigation, they determined a male suspect had produced a loaded handgun and pointed it at a female victim during the altercation.
Following this incident, police executed a search warrant at the same residence, which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns, and more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition.
Awaiting fitness hearing
William (Billy) Harding, 35, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 21 for monitoring following a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He returns to court in custody by video for a fitness hearing on July 29 at 1:30 p.m.
At an earlier court appearance, Harding was remanded for a five-day mental health assessment and was found fit to stand trial. However, his defence counsel stated that he could not proceed with his bail hearing and required further assessment.
RCMP charged Harding with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet, and three counts of breaching his release order on June 7 in Perth-Andover.
He was also charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace following an incident on May 11 at Perth Andover.
Harding appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer theft charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. Those matters were adjourned for plea until June 10, but he failed to appear, and a warrant was issued.
Harding was charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, in Woodstock.
A co-accused, Tammy Schloemer, 60, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was charged in connection with the same incident at the Superstore. She appeared in court in custody on June 23 after being arrested on a warrant. Schloemer pleaded not guilty to theft and was released with conditions until her trial. She also returns to court on July 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Harding was also charged with theft of a laptop in Perth-Andover on March 12, 2024; breach of probation on March 20, 2024; and breach of probation by failing to report between Dec. 12, 2023, and Sept. 3, 2024. He has a prior criminal record.
Returning for plea
Carly Rae Muzzerolle, 30, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on July 22 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Muzzerolle appeared in provincial court in custody on June 23 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. RCMP charged her with flight from police. On Tuesday, she faced charges of identity theft and breach of a release order.
She will also appear for trial in provincial court on Feb. 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a stolen property charge laid by RCMP. She pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on March 4.
Released on court order
Michelle McMann of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 21 after being arrested on a warrant. She was released with an order to return to court for plea on Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m.
McMann was scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 15 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. She appeared by teleconference and stated that she had no means of getting to court. An arrest warrant was issued to have her picked up by police.
McMann appeared in provincial court in custody on June 11 after being arrested for an alleged altercation with police. RCMP charged her with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest on March 13 at Perth-Andover. She was released from custody with conditions.
Holmesville woman has trial adjourned
Renee Hardy, 47, of Holmesville, appeared for trial in provincial court on July 21 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. Her trial was adjourned until April 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Hardy was charged with impaired driving and resisting arrest, stemming from an incident on Oct. 10, 2024, at Perth-Andover. She was late for her trial on Monday, so the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Judge and jury trial
McKayla Ruth McLaughlin, 22, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court on July 22 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. She elected trial by judge and jury at the Court of King’s Bench. A date for her trial will be set on the next motion day in September.
McLaughlin was charged with assault with a weapon (hot coffee) and assault causing bodily harm in connection with an incident on May 24, 2023, in Woodstock.
Facing seven charges
Lee Roy Durepos, 49, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court on July 22 and pleaded not guilty to seven charges laid by RCMP. He elected trial by judge alone at the Court of King’s Bench. A trial date will be set on the next motions day in September.
Durepos was charged with touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, invitation to sexual touching, and making sexually explicit materials available to a minor, concerning incidents between Jan. 1, 2023, and May 27, 2024, at Odell.
He was also charged with sexual assault, sexual assault while choking the victim, and uttering threats for another incident between Jan. 1, 2023, and Oct. 4, 2024, at Odell. Another charge of indecent exposure was laid for an incident alleged to have occurred between Sept. 1, 2021 and May 27, 2022, at Perth-Andover. Durepos was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Trial in January
Ashley Marie Bernard, 39, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 22 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. Her trial was set for Feb. 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Bernard was charged with theft and breach of probation on June 18, 2024, and breach of probation on Sept. 5, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She was offered the alternative measures program but failed to meet the requirements to have the charge withdrawn.
Theft of mail
Melissa Dawn Bull, 43, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court on July 22 to answer to charges related to an alleged theft of mail. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Bull was charged by RCMP with theft of mail (two envelopes) and defrauding Canada Post (gift cards), stemming from an incident on Aug. 16-17, 2024, in Woodstock.
Returning for plea
Sylvia Drier, 25, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court on July 22 for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Drier was charged with assaulting another woman, assault with a weapon (a can), and mischief causing property damage for an incident on April 19 at Hartley Settlement. The court heard a resolution is being sought with the crown.
Facing four charges
Sherra Gregg, 28, of Anderson Road, Victoria County, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. to answer four charges laid by RCMP.
Gregg was charged with breach of an undertaking on March 31 at Perth-Andover; criminal harassment by repeated communication between March 8 and March 25 in Plaster Rock; assaulting another woman and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on July 16, 2024, at Quaker Brook. She appeared in court on July 22 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Charged with robbery with violence
Tearston Lee Saulis, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 22 and pleaded not guilty to a robbery charge. His trial date was set for Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Saulis appeared in court in custody by video on June 27 and waived his bail. He was charged by RCMP with robbery of a motor vehicle with violence on March 26 at Neqotkuk. The court heard he allegedly struck a woman during the incident.
At an earlier court appearance, Saulis was ordered to undergo a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He was found fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report.
Saulis appeared in court in custody by video from federal prison on June 3. He was arrested in March on a Canada-wide warrant issued by Correctional Services Canada for an alleged parole violation. His federal sentence expires in August. However, he told the court on Tuesday he was currently in remand at provincial jail.
He pleaded guilty to uttering threats and possession of a weapon to commit an offence for another incident between May 22 and May 24 at Renous. Those charges were transferred from Miramichi. A sentencing date will be set when he returns to court in custody on Aug. 28.
Remanded for mental health assessment
Timothy Canam, 45, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 21 for a fitness hearing. His medical report was not yet completed after a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital.
Judge Henrik Tonning ordered him to remain at the hospital for an additional 30 days, and his fitness hearing was adjourned until Aug. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Canam was charged by RCMP with two counts of uttering threats on June 6 at Johnville; resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and assault causing bodily harm to a police officer on June 9 in Johnville.
Agreed to peace bond
Christine Campbell, 32, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on July 22 for plea on a threat charge. She agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond and was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
RCMP charged Campbell with uttering threats following an incident on Dec. 28, 2024, at Bath. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.
Jointly charged with trafficking
Larry Shane Kennedy, 50, and Dominique Gray, 24, both of Kirkland, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to answer drug trafficking charges.
Kennedy and Gray were jointly charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking on May 29 in Kirkland.
Kennedy was also charged with breaching a release order and unauthorized possession of ammunition for the same incident on May 29. A female co-accused was also arrested at the scene.
Kennedy appeared in provincial court in custody on June 19 and was released from custody with conditions (ankle bracelet). He was denied bail on June 2 and then released with the crown’s consent.
Kennedy and Joshua Sterling Trail, 42, of Benton, will both stand trial in August after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. Their three-day trial was scheduled for Aug. 25 and Aug.27- 28 at 9:30 a.m.
They were each charged with possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine both for the purpose of trafficking on Feb. 16 in Kirkland; indictable robbery of a motor vehicle on Feb. 5 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation); illegal possession of a firearm (a Russian SKS semi-automatic rifle), and improper storage of a gun on Feb. 16 at Kirkland.
Trail appeared in provincial court via video in custody on May 22 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including a curfew and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will be residing at a residence in Ashland. Judge Henrik Tonning ordered him to have no contact with Kennedy during his release.
On Feb. 18, Kennedy appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but returned to custody.
Trail was also charged with fraudulent impersonation for a separate incident on Dec. 9, 2024, at Richmond Corner. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was rescheduled for March 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Trail was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house on Charlotte Street to commit mischief, unlawful entry to commit an offence, possession of break-in tools, possession of a stolen Blue Cross card, mischief causing property damage to a door, interfering with the lawful use of property, and illegal possession of methamphetamine for an incident between Sept. 6-7, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty and his trial was set for July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, Dynielle Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on June 3 and pleaded not guilty to the same list of charges for the alleged break-in on Charlotte Street. Her trial date was also set for July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant also pleaded not guilty to possession of stolen property and breach of probation concerning a separate incident on Sept. 17, 2024, in Woodstock. Her trial is scheduled for July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Plea date set over
Logan Estey, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 22 via teleconference for plea on a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Estey appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 5 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions (ankle bracelet). He was charged with breaching a release order (no contact) for an incident on June 1 in Woodstock.
At an earlier court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to other separate matters, and three trial dates were set for Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m., Feb. 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., and March 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Estey was charged by RCMP with assault, assault with a weapon (a car), and dangerous driving following an incident on July 24, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of breaching a no-contact order related to an incident on Aug. 3, 2024, in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no further contact with the complainant. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 8, 2024, and was released with conditions.
He was also charged with mischief causing property damage to a window and possession of a firearm to commit an offence in connection with an incident on Jan. 1, 2024, in Upper Woodstock. The court heard Estey was also facing more charges in Fredericton.
