Suspended sentence, probation in neighbour dispute
When she appeared in provincial court on April 10, Laura Lee Boehler, 65, of Richmond Corner, received a suspended sentence, 12 months of probation, and a stern warning from Judge Lucie Mathurin to stay away from her neighbours.
Boehler was tense as she stood before the court for sentencing. She told the judge the victim impact statement submitted to the court by her neighbours contained false information and then added she was harassed by them on the road while on the way to court that morning.
“I don’t want to hear it,” Judge Mathurin replied.
The judge told Boehler she was prohibited from taking any photos or videos of her neighbours or their property and must have no further contact with them. Mathurin allowed Boehler to keep a dash cam in her vehicle at her urging, but the judge stressed it could not be used to film her neighbours.
Boehler was found guilty after trial in January of committing mischief and breaching an undertaking to have no contact with her neighbours. She was found not guilty of criminal harassment and not guilty of assault.
She was ordered to sign a peace bond to have no further contact with her neighbours. Any breach of the peace bond would mean Boehler could face another charge under Section 811 of the Criminal Code.
RCMP charged Boehler with assault with a weapon (a cane), criminal harassment, two counts of committing mischief, and breach of an undertaking concerning incidents between June 28 and Sept. 13, 2021, and between July 3 and Aug. 30, 2021, at Richmond Corner. She appeared in court in custody in September 2021 in relation to the charges and was later released on an order to keep the peace.
Evidence presented by the crown during the trial included video surveillance footage surrounding her neighbours’ property and testimony from Boehler’s neighbours, Duane and Sherry Wortman. Boehler testified in her own defence.
The court heard about the long-standing dispute between the neighbours, which began when the Wortmans moved into their home on Boehler Road in 2010. The Boehlers have lived on a farm on the same road for four generations.
In reviewing the evidence, Judge Mathurin said Boehler and the Wortmans were “provoking each other constantly.” A main bone of contention between the two parties is the unsightly premises surrounding the Wortman property, which Judge Mathurin described as an “eye sore.”
Crown Prosecutor Wesley McIntosh told the court that Boehler must focus on her own life, care for her elderly mother, and ignore what her neighbours are doing. He said the Wortmans struggle with anxiety and have been unable to enjoy their property for years because of Boehler hounding them.
“They are not interested in her going to jail as it would only aggravate the situation,” McIntosh said.
The crown lawyer recommended a suspended sentence and three years of probation for the accused.
Defence Counsel Ben Reentovich said Boehler and the Wortmans were to blame for the feud, calling the authorities to report each other “all the time.”
During one incident, Reentovich said Boehler was “effectively provoked” when she pulled down her pants and mooned her neighbours as she walked down the road near the Wortman residence. She was charged and convicted of indecent exposure but later filed an appeal and got a conditional discharge.
The defence noted Boehler was living on a pension while residing with her elderly mother. She spent one day in jail during her arrest in 2021 and has been under a court order since that time. Reentovich requested a suspended sentence and 12 months of probation for his client. He noted this was the same sentence Boehler’s elderly mother received on a mischief charge for repeatedly blowing a basketball whistle to annoy the Wortmans.
Judge Mathurin concluded she could have sentenced Boehler to jail but decided on a lighter sentence since the accused had been “following conditions lately” to keep the peace.
Sentenced to 23 months in jail
Ryan James Smith, 35, of Woodstock, formerly of Perth, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 10 and changed his plea to guilty on multiple charges.
He was sentenced to 23 months in jail, minus time served, and was placed on probation for two years. Smith was also ordered to register with the federal DNA database, and the judge also imposed a lifetime prohibition on firearms.
Smith appeared in court in custody for his bail hearing on Nov. 1, 2023, and was remanded. He had an extensive criminal record and was in custody since late September.
Smith was charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a stolen vehicle, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, obstructing police, carelessly transporting a firearm, and possession of a firearm without a licence, stemming from an incident on Sept. 30, 2023, in Hartland.
He was also charged with possessing a stolen vehicle, committing mischief causing property damage to a car window, and driving while suspended for another incident in Meductic on Sept. 30, 2023.
Woodstock Police also charged him with trespassing on private property on Aug. 3 and Aug. 29, 2023, on Broadway Street in Woodstock. The crown withdrew two of the firearm charges and the trespassing charges at sentencing.
Sentenced to one year in jail
Brandon Cecil Armour, 34, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 11 and was sentenced to one year in jail minus time served. He was also placed on probation for 12 months.
Armour was charged by RCMP with breaking into a dwelling house, committing mischief, causing property damage to a door, and assaulting a female victim, stemming from an incident on June 8, 2022, in Beechwood. He pleaded guilty to breaking into the dwelling, and the crown withdrew the remaining charges.
RCMP also charged Armour with breaching a release order following incidents on Jan. 7 and Feb. 6 near Johnville. He appeared in court in custody on Feb. 9 for a bail hearing and waived his bail until later. On March 13, he pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaching his release order and a trial date was set for Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
He also appeared in provincial court on Dec. 13, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by Woodstock Police. On March 13, his trial dates were moved to May 1 and Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Armour was charged with breach of an undertaking and failing to attend court on July 11, 2023, as well as theft of a vehicle and resisting arrest on Aug. 14, 2023. Woodstock Police also charged him with prowling at night and resisting arrest concerning an incident on March 24, 2023, in Woodstock.
Armour appeared in court in custody on Aug. 15, 2023, after being arrested on a warrant. He appeared on Sept. 28, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions but was brought back into custody.
Not guilty of impaired driving
Paul Porter, 70, of Rowena, Victoria County, appeared in provincial court on April 12 and was found not guilty after trial on a charge of impaired driving.
Judge Lucie Mathurin ruled there was evidence of bad driving on the part of the accused, but there was not enough evidence to convict him of impaired driving.
RCMP charged Porter following an accident on April 17, 2022, near Burntland Brook. He pleaded not guilty. A vehicle was found in the ditch, and Porter was the only occupant.
Weaver man to be sentenced
Christopher Elliott, 33, of Weaver, appeared in provincial court on April 10 and pleaded guilty to a series of charges laid by the RCMP. He will return to court by video for sentencing on May 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Elliott appeared in court in custody via teleconference in October and was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and faced new charges of fraud and possession of stolen property (a debit card) concerning an incident on July 18, 2023, at Plaster Rock. He pleaded guilty to fraud, and the crown withdrew the second charge.
Elliott was also charged with resisting arrest and possession of ammunition while prohibited for an incident on Oct. 23, 2023, at Perth-Andover. He was also charged with failing to appear in court for his trial in Woodstock on Aug. 23, 2023. He pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and failing to appear in court. The crown withdrew the remaining charge.
Elliott was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon without a licence in an incident on November 4, 2021, at Gladwyn. He was also charged under the Fish and Wildlife Act with having a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm without a licence, and hunting without a licence on Nov. 4, 2021. The crown withdrew these charges.
Elliott and Amber Holt, 32, of Bluebell, were jointly charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm without a licence (.22 Magnum rifle) and careless use of a gun for another incident on June 22, 2022, in Weaver. The crown withdrew these charges against Elliott, and the firearm involved in the incident was forfeited to the crown.
Elliott was also charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it in connection with the same incident in Weaver. He pleaded guilty to this offence.
Holt was sentenced in December to 15 months in custody at a drug rehabilitation facility after pleading guilty to multiple charges. She absconded from rehab, and an arrest warrant was issued.
Held for bail hearing
Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 12 after being arrested on a warrant. She was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on April 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Paul failed to appear in court for plea on March 19 on multiple charges laid by RCMP, and an arrest warrant was issued. The court heard other new charges are pending.
She appeared in provincial court in custody on March 4 and was released with conditions. She was charged with uttering a forged document (a $2,000 cheque), possession of stolen property (cheques), fraud, and breach of probation, stemming from an incident on Oct. 10, 2023, near Perth-Andover.
She was also charged with unlawful entry at a dwelling house and breach of probation for an incident on Feb. 14 at Neqotkuk, and assaulting another woman and breach of probation on March 2 near Perth-Andover.
Remanded after bail hearing
Kyle Lucas Stairs, 25, of Temperance Vale, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 11 for a bail hearing on multiple charges laid by RCMP and Woodstock Police. He was remanded to jail and returns to court for plea on May 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Stairs was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), possession of a weapon while prohibited from having it, resisting arrest, mischief causing property damage to a police vehicle, and breach of probation concerning an incident on April 8 in Nackawic.
Woodstock Police also charged him with flight from police, dangerous driving, driving while suspended, and breach of probation for an incident on April 8 in Woodstock. He also faces an additional charge of failing to report to probation between Dec. 5 and Dec. 8, 2023, in Woodstock.
Released with ankle bracelet
Hilton Romeo Fredericks, 26, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 11 for a bail hearing on another 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 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 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.
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.
Returning to court for plea
Brandon Jay Smith, 26, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 4 for a bail hearing. He was remanded to jail and returns to court in custody for plea on April 25 at 9:30 a.m. The matter was adjourned for plea to the new date on April 11.
RCMP charged Smith with breaking into a dwelling house and theft of firearms on July 3, 2023, in Summerfield. He also faces charges of break, enter, and theft at a dwelling house, breaking into a garage, and theft of a trailer related to an incident on March 18 on the Back Greenfield Road.
Charges withdrawn after mental health assessment
Brenda Lee McLean, 60, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on April 10 when the crown withdrew all charges against her.
McLean appeared in court on March 19 for a fitness hearing after being remanded for a 30-day mental health assessment. She was found not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.
However, McLean refused to accept the findings in her medical report from the Restigouche hospital. She was released from custody.
McLean appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 7 after being arrested for failing to appear for trial. RCMP charged her with uttering threats against two individuals, possession of a dog that was not her property and causing unnecessary pain to the animal by holding and strangling it concerning an incident on Oct. 19, 2022, near Hartland.
She also faced an additional charge of possessing a dog that was not her property for an incident on Sept. 23, 2022, near Hartland. She pleaded not guilty to the charges at an earlier court appearance but failed to return for trial on Jan. 17.
Bail hearing scheduled
Terrance Wright, 60, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 11 and requested a bail hearing on charges laid by Woodstock Police. The hearing was scheduled for April 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged Wright with assaulting another man and two counts of uttering threats concerning an incident on Feb. 24 in Woodstock. He waived his bail until later and was remanded. He has yet to enter a plea on these charges.
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 by video on April 11 for monitoring about two trials on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until April 18 at 1:30 p.m. to allow him time to consult his new legal counsel.
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 after incident in Johnville
Brandon Schriver, 22, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 11 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until April 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Schriver appeared in court in custody on Feb. 29 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. He was charged by RCMP with possession of prohibited weapons, assaulting a police officer with a weapon, flight from police, dangerous driving, driving while prohibited, possession of stolen property, and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Feb. 22 in Johnville.
Police made the arrest after receiving a report of two suspicious vehicles at a residence in Johnville. Upon arrival, police saw an individual jump into a vehicle, which then rammed the police car before fleeing at a high rate of speed. Police then followed the vehicle until it eventually came to a stop. The driver exited the vehicle but was quickly apprehended by police. No one was injured during the incident.
Remanded after bail hearing
Nicholas Carl Manzer, 26, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on April 5 after being arrested on a warrant. He was remanded to jail and returns to court in custody for plea on April 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Manzer was arrested after he failed to appear in provincial court on March 19 for plea on charges laid by RCMP.
He was charged 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 gun concerning 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.
Woodstock man awaits sentencing
Curtis Brent Hatheway, 43, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 11 for a verdict after his trial on an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. He was found not guilty of the offence.
Hatheway was charged with assault involving a female victim, breach of probation, and breach of a release order stemming from an incident on June 22, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to both violations and will be sentenced on May 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Hatheway changed his plea to guilty on several other charges and will be sentenced at his court appearance on May 23.
Hatheway was charged with breaching a no-contact order while in custody between Oct. 7 and Nov. 1, 2023, and between Nov. 1, 2023, and Jan. 1 of this year. He pleaded guilty. He was also charged with breach of curfew for an incident on May 17, 2023. He pleaded guilty.
Hatheway was also charged by Woodstock Police with assaulting a female victim, assault by choking, uttering threats and breach of a release order for an incident on Sept. 25, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to the violation, and the crown withdrew the threat charge and the assault charges.
Woodstock Police also charged Hatheway with assault, unlawful confinement, uttering threats and breach of a release order in connection with another incident on Aug. 31, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to the violation and uttering threats, and the remaining charges were withdrawn.
He also appeared for trial in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 15. He agreed to sign a peace bond, but the trial did not proceed. He was charged by Woodstock Police with assault with a weapon (a shovel), assault involving a female victim, breach of a release order, and breach of probation following an incident on May 9, 2023, in Woodstock.
Hatheway appeared in court in custody in November and was remanded. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video in July for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant and to attend court as required but was later brought back into custody.
In custody awaiting trial
Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 27, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 11 to answer a sexual assault charge laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for June 26 at 9:30 a.m.
O’Donnell was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident in Beechwood between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021. He returns to court in custody on May 2 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on other separate charges.
O’Donnell appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 23 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. He was charged by RCMP with breach of a release order on Feb. 15 and held in custody.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 24 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but was brought back into custody.
O’Donnell was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, and breach of probation concerning an incident on Jan. 25 near Johnville.
A date for a hearing about an alleged breach of a conditional sentence order was scheduled for April 5.
O’Donnell received a nine-month conditional sentence on Aug. 1, 2023, after pleading guilty to indictable assault, theft, breach of a release order, two counts of breach of probation, uttering threats and assault on a female victim. He spent five months in remand before being released on a conditional sentence. O’Donnell has a prior criminal record.
In custody awaiting plea
Brady Melvin Crain, 27, of Wicklow, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 11 to answer several charges laid by the RCMP. At the request of his defence counsel, the matter was adjourned for plea to April 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Crain was charged with prowling at night, three counts of breaching a release order, possession of a stolen ATV, resisting arrest, two counts of assaulting a police officer, and break and enter at a dwelling house concerning an incident on Feb. 13 at Johnville.
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 for failing to appear for trial on other charges.
RCMP charged Crain with breaching his release order on April 4, 2023. He also appeared in provincial court on March 16, 2023, on charges of breach of an undertaking, committing mischief, and taking a vehicle without consent in connection with incidents on Aug. 29, 2022, and Oct. 28, 2022, at Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a trial date was set for Jan. 17, but he failed to attend court.
Crain appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 6, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was arrested on a warrant on Aug. 28, 2023, for failing to appear for sentencing.
Crain was 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. RCMP also charged him with breach of a release order on Dec. 6, 2021, at Mount Pleasant. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date was set for July 27, 2023, but he failed to appear.
Sentencing set for Neqotkuk man
Calvin Joseph Nicholas, 53, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 11 and pleaded guilty to several charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Nicholas changed his plea to guilty to breaching an undertaking for an incident at Neqotkuk on Dec. 16, 2021. The crown withdrew another charge of uttering threats against another man.
He also pleaded guilty to failing to report to the national sex offender registry on July 3, 2022; guilty to breach of probation between June 27 and Feb. 23, 2023; and guilty to breach of a release order between Jan. 1-25 in Lower Kintore. The crown withdrew another breach charge.
Nicholas was arrested on a warrant after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on Feb. 27. He waived his bail. He also appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Jan. 31. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but returned to custody. Nicholas has a lengthy prior criminal record.
Jacksonville man wants bail hearing
Shayne Everett Cameron, 30, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 11 and requested a bail hearing. The hearing was set for April 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Cameron has been in custody awaiting plea on multiple charges. Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of assaulting police with a weapon (a knife), robbery, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, possession of stolen property, theft of mail, assault with a weapon, flight from police, dangerous driving, resisting arrest, and breach of a release order.
Woodstock Police laid the charges after locating a man in the passenger seat of a vehicle at a business on Connell Street. The man threatened the driver with a weapon, attempting to encourage the driver to flee. Police gained entry to the vehicle and attempted to remove the man when he grabbed a knife and attempted to stab the officers.
Two officers sustained minor injuries in the incident. The driver then exited the vehicle, and the man got into the driver’s seat and fled the scene. A short time later, the vehicle was located in Perth-Andover by RCMP. A police dog located the individual, and he was arrested without incident.
Cameron appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 23 after being arrested the day before on five warrants. He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Jan. 25 and waived his bail until later. He also pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court on Nov. 21, 2023.
Cameron also appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 8, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on Oct. 31, 2023. He was charged with breach of an undertaking on Sept. 28, 2023, and uttering threats and assaulting another man on Oct. 28, 2023, at Greenfield. He was also charged with breach of a no-contact order and obstructing police on Nov. 4, 2023, at Perth-Andover.
At an earlier court appearance, Cameron was also charged with assault, assault with a weapon and uttering threats for incidents between Sept. 8 and Sept. 13, 2023, in Woodstock, and possession of stolen property on April 11, 2023, in Woodstock. The matters were adjourned for plea until his next court appearance.
He also appeared in provincial court in September and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for July 4 at 9:30 a.m. Cameron was charged with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and possession of a firearm while prohibited concerning an incident on Jan. 24, 2023, at Juniper.
He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 19, 2023.
