Sentenced for transmitting nude photos
Michael Anthony Allain, 53, of no fixed address (Alberta), appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Nov. 13 after changing his plea to guilty on a charge of knowingly transmitting intimate images without consent.
Allain was handed a 12-month conditional sentence order, including six months of house arrest and six months of following a curfew. He will be permitted to attend work in Alberta during this house arrest. He was also placed on 12 months of probation. Chief Judge Brian C. McLean also fined him $130.
Allain was ordered to report to the police (in Alberta) as required, and he must not contact any of the victims involved in the offence. Allain had a minimal prior criminal record.
He was charged by Woodstock Police in connection with incidents involving a female victim between April 3 and April 7, 2023, in Woodstock and Fredericton.
The court heard Allain shared several nude images and one sexually explicit image of the victim with a group of individuals online and also posted several “vile” messages about her on Facebook. The cell phone used in the commission of the offence was forfeited to the crown.
The photos were taken with the woman’s consent, but she did not give permission for the accused to share them with others. Allain told police he regretted his actions and eventually deleted many of the images which he shared in an act of revenge over the end of a relationship.
Crown Prosecutor Rodney Jordan said Allain was drinking at the time of the offences and “lashed out” by contacting several people online who were “mortified” by the images they received.
“If it happens again, he knows what the consequences are,” Jordan stated.
Judge McLean said victim impact statements submitted to the court revealed Allain’s actions were “extremely hurtful” for the individuals involved and caused “profound humiliation” for the female victim.
“It is truly disgusting behaviour and it’s not something that goes away quickly,” Judge McLean told the accused. “You are going to be on a tight ripe for a considerable period of time.”
Defence Counsel Patrick Hurley stressed Allain’s excellent work record and noted he gave a full confession to the police. Hurley said Allain was “cognizant of the harm he caused” and knows he will go directly to jail if there is any breach of his conditional sentence order.
The crown requested that a $6,000 surety, posted so Allain could return to work in Alberta, be returned to the accused and his mother, who was seated in the courtroom.
Plea delayed for RCMP officer
Corporal Andrew Whiteway, a member of the Woodstock RCMP, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 27 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge.
Whiteway was scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 13 but was represented by his Defence Counsel, T.J. Burke, who requested an adjournment since the crown was forthcoming with more disclosure. Burke told the court that his client may elect to a trial at the Court of King’s Bench at his next appearance.
Whiteway was charged with aggravated assault for allegedly striking a woman in the face during an arrest in Richmond Corner on June 13. Police were called to a family disturbance in Richmond Corner when a female individual suffered serious injuries during the altercation.
The alleged assault was investigated by the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), which is responsible for investigating matters involving police officers.
Whiteway has been temporarily reassigned to administrative duties due to the investigation.
208 days or time served
Matthew McGrath, 30, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Nov. 13 after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by RCMP. He was handed 208 days in jail or time served.
McGrath was released from custody and placed on 12 months of probation. He was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, resisting arrest and breach of probation in connection with an incident on June 26-27 at Plaster Rock.
He pleaded guilty to assault and breach of probation and agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond regarding the threat charge. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn. The crown also withdrew the charge of resisting arrest.
McGrath also pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court in Edmundston on May 28 and mischief causing property damage to the Madawaska jail sprinkler system on May 11. He was denied bail on these charges.
Following his arrest in June, McGrath was remanded to the Restigouche hospital for a mental health assessment until July 10. He had a prior criminal record and was ordered to seek counselling as required.
Wapske man sentenced to 51 months
A Wapske man was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison, minus time served, after pleading guilty to drug trafficking, stolen property, and firearm charges.
Patrick Thomas Tatlock, 61, appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Nov. 14. He was denied bail following a bail hearing in January. He had been in remand since his arrest in December 2023.
Tatlock pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and unlawful possession of cannabis concerning an incident on Dec. 12, 2023, at Wapske.
The court heard police executed a search warrant at Tatlock’s residence where a quantity of crystal meth, meth pills, morphine pills, cannabis, scales, score sheets, and $400 in cash were found on the premises as well as a number of shotguns and rifles. All firearms and ammunition seized by police were forfeited to the crown, and a lifetime ban on firearms was imposed on the accused.
Tatlock also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of stolen property, including a truck, a licence plate, a snowmobile, a trailer, and an ATV, and improper storage of ammunition on Dec. 3 and Dec. 12, 2023, in Wapske. Another charge of improper storage of a firearm was withdrawn.
Two other charges of altering a manufacturer’s serial number on an ATV and a snowmobile were also laid under the Motor Vehicle Act. He pleaded guilty to both offences. Tatlock has a lengthy criminal record.
Judge Karen Lee described Tatlock as a “low-level trafficker” and drug user. The court heard he was often unemployed and operated a salvage yard to generate an income. He told police he sold drugs to help pay bills and buy food for his family. The judge noted Tatlock was remorseful for his crimes and regretted the impact on his family, who struggle financially while he is in jail.
Tatlock also faces a charge under the Fish and Wildlife Act for an incident on Dec. 8, 2023. He pleaded not guilty to illegal possession of a deer carcass, and a trial date was set for May 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Plea pending for Limestone man
Riley Cowper, 20, of Limestone, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 27 at 1:30 p.m. for plea on an attempted murder charge following an alleged violent attack on another local man.
Cowper was scheduled for a plea on Nov. 13, but the matter was adjourned at the request of Defence Counsel T.J. Burke, who told the court that more disclosure was forthcoming from the crown. Burke said the defence may seek a possible resolution with the crown before the next court appearance.
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 at Jackson Falls.
He was arrested on Aug. 13 and ordered to have no contact with Butler, who police said was treated at a hospital for injuries and later released. On Oct. 18, Cowper waived his bail until later.
Cowper is also facing a separate charge of assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022. That trial was adjourned to Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Fined for impaired driving
Jason Randall Watson, 28, of Medford, appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 13 and changed his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. He was fined $1,300 and prohibited from driving for one year.
Watson was charged by the RCMP in connection with an incident that occurred on Sept. 1, 2023, on Route 105 near Tobique Narrows.
Remanded after bail hearing
Joshua Sisson, 37, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference for a bail hearing on Nov. 14 and was remanded to jail to await his trial.
RCMP charged Sisson with two counts of uttering threats for an incident on Nov. 11 at Neqotkuk. He was also charged with flight from police on Sept. 24.
He is also awaiting trial on other separate charges on March 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Sisson pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon (a bottle) involving a female victim, assault, and two counts of uttering threats in connection with an incident on April 8 at Neqotkuk. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Sentencing set for Wotstak man
Greg McCormick, 35, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 14 and changed his plea to guilty on several charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Jan. 7, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
McCormick pleaded guilty to breaching his release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet) and mischief causing property damage to the device on Sept. 24 at Wotstak.
He also pleaded guilty to breach of a no-contact order and guilty to assault with a weapon (bear spray and a box cutter) on Sept. 21 at Wotstak. The crown withdrew two other charges.
In addition, McCormick pleaded guilty to mischief causing property damage (a window and a vehicle) on July 16, 2023, at Wotstak. The crown withdrew two other charges.
He also pleaded guilty to assaulting another man while carrying a weapon (a knife) following an incident on Feb. 15 at Wotstak. The crown withdrew one other charge. McCormick remains in custody. He had a limited prior criminal record.
Not-guilty in mischief case
Eric Buckingham, 59, and Susan Buckingham, 58, of Teeds Mills, appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 14 after pleading not guilty to a mischief charge.
The crown called no evidence when the complainant failed to appear for the trial. Judge Pierre Gionet found the Buckinghams not guilty and dismissed the case.
The RCMP charged them with mischief, causing property damage to a vehicle and other personal belongings, in connection with an incident on March 14 at Teeds Mills.
Verdict pending on sex charge
Matthew White, 42, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 13 for final arguments in his trial on a sex charge laid by RCMP.
Crown Prosecutor Rodney Jordan and Defence Counsel T.J. Burke made closing submissions. Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on a verdict until Jan. 7, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
White was charged with invitation to sexual touching involving a female minor in connection with an incident on June 3, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations during the trial.
Trial adjourned for Bath woman
Delta Joy Bowmaster, 44, of Bath, was scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 25 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by RCMP.
On Nov. 13, Defence Counsel James Crocco requested an adjournment. He said a resolution is being sought with the crown, and if necessary, a new trial date can be set for Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP charged Bowmaster with impaired driving, impaired driving causing bodily harm, and reckless endangerment involving a minor following an incident on May 11, 2023, at Odell.
On April 24, the crown withdrew the original charges. It replaced them with a charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm, and driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.
Released from custody until sentencing
Emily McSheffrey, 27, of Waterville, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on Nov. 14 and changed her plea to guilty on several charges laid by RCMP and Woodstock Police.
McSheffrey was released from custody with conditions until her sentencing on Feb. 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. She told the court she planned to enter a rehab facility in Montreal.
McSheffrey pleaded guilty to breaking and entering at a camper, theft of a TV, and breach of probation for an incident at Connell Park in Woodstock between April 8 and April 16. She also pleaded guilty to shoplifting at the Superstore on March 21.
In addition, she pleaded guilty to assault involving a male victim, mischief causing property damage, and breach of probation concerning an incident on April 27 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). She also pleaded guilty to assaulting another man and breach of probation for another incident on May 4 at Killoween. McSheffrey was remanded to jail in May and later denied bail.
Trial set on multiple charges
Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 14 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He returns to court in custody on Nov. 27 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
Whitney appeared in court in custody by video on Aug. 26 and was denied bail. He was charged with forging a doctor’s prescription for Dilaudid on July 30 in Woodstock, breaking into a dwelling house on Slipp Street, uttering threats and breach of probation on July 14, assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and breach of probation on Aug. 24 in Woodstock, and assault with a weapon (a torch) involving a female victim between July 1-28 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with any of the complainants.
Whitney was also charged with using counterfeit money and fraud in connection with a Jan. 1 incident at Newbridge. He was released on an undertaking and then later arrested on more charges. He had a limited prior criminal record.
New trial date set
Memphis Tompkins, 20, of Tilley, will appear for trial in provincial court on March 20-21, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges.
His trial was set for Nov. 14 but was adjourned at the request of Defence Counsel Stewart Paul, who notified the court of a late disclosure.
RCMP charged Tompkins with aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and uttering threats for an incident at Aroostook. He was arrested on Sept. 5, 2023, and released with conditions including house arrest and a curfew. The crown later lifted those conditions.
Tompkins also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of breach of a release order.
Sentencing set for impaired driving
Vanessa Golz, 35, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 14 and changed her plea to guilty on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. Her sentencing date was set for Feb. 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Golz was charged by Woodstock Police with impaired driving and dangerous driving following an incident on Jan. 2, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded guilty to impaired driving, and the crown withdrew the remaining charge. Golz was prohibited from driving until her sentencing hearing.
Neqotkuk man changes plea
Paul Sappier of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 13 and changed his plea to guilty on one charge laid by RCMP. His sentencing is set for Feb. 11, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Sappier was charged with impaired driving, resisting arrest, and fleeing police for an incident on June 2, 2023, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded guilty to impaired driving, and the two remaining charges were withdrawn by the crown. Sappier was prohibited from driving until his sentencing hearing.
Neqotkuk couple charged with trafficking
Jennifer Louise Paul, 45, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 14 to answer charges laid by RCMP. She waived her bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Jennifer Paul was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property (cash), possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun for an incident on Sept. 25 at Neqotkuk.
Her husband, Nicholas Paul, 46, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), also remains in custody. He was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of stolen property (cash) for an incident on Oct. 23 at Neqotkuk. He waived bail until later and returns to court for plea on Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
At the time of their arrest, they were each charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking for an incident on Oct. 23 at Neqotkuk.
Jennifer Paul was also charged with breach of a release order (no weapons), possession of a stolen licence plate, and possession of a prohibited weapon (a collapsible baton) without a licence on Oct. 23 at Neqotkuk. Because she was jointly charged with her husband, she will return to court in custody for a plea on Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Nicholas Paul was also charged with breach of a release order, driving while prohibited on Sept. 22-24 at Neqotkuk, breach of a release order (no drugs), possession of ammunition while prohibited, and possession of a stolen licence plate on Oct. 23 at Neqotkuk.
The couple appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 16 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing electronic monitoring devices attached to their ankles. They were rearrested a week later.
They were each charged with breaching their house arrest concerning an incident on Sept. 26 in the community. A hearing about the breach allegation was adjourned until Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Jennifer Paul was sentenced in September to three months of house arrest. She pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle, obstructing police, and possession of a firearm (a rifle) without a licence for an incident on Dec. 3, 2021, at Neqotkuk.
Nicholas Paul was ready for sentencing on other charges when he was arrested on Oct. 15 along with his wife.
He had already spent several months in custody after pleading guilty to breaching a release order by failing to follow the conditions of electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet) for an incident on May 1 at Neqotkuk, and guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and breach of probation concerning another incident on June 29, 2023, in Woodstock.
