Two years in jail on multiple charges
Kyle Lucas Stairs, 25, of Temperance Vale, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 19 and was handed a total of 960 days in jail, minus time served, which resulted in a sentence of two years behind bars.
Stairs has been in custody since April. He pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and theft of fuel for an incident on April 5 at Perth-Andover.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen laptop, possession of a weapon while prohibited from having it (brass knuckles), mischief causing property damage to a police vehicle, and breach of probation concerning another incident on April 8 in Nackawic. The crown withdrew three other charges. RCMP laid all of these charges.
Stairs also pleaded guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police, including flight from police, dangerous driving, driving while suspended, and breach of probation for an incident on April 8 in Woodstock. He also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of failing to report to probation between Dec. 5 and Dec. 8, 2023, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew one other breach of probation charge.
He also pleaded guilty to several charges from Edmundston court, including theft of a cell phone and breach of probation on Feb. 26, two counts of breaching a release order on March 24 and April 25, resisting arrest and breach of probation on Feb. 27, and theft of merchandise from the Pronature Store on Feb. 26.
Fine and house arrest on drug charges
Stephanie Lynn Lockard, 41, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Aug. 20 on two drug charges laid by Woodstock Police. She received a $400 fine and six months of house arrest.
Lockard will be permitted to attend work during her house arrest and will follow a curfew during the last three months of her sentence. She was also placed on 12 months of probation. Lockhard had no prior criminal record.
She changed her plea to guilty on a lesser included offence. She was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and illegal possession of cannabis, stemming from an incident on Dec. 17, 2022, in Woodstock.
She pleaded guilty to indictable possession of methamphetamine and illegal possession of cannabis, and the trafficking charge was withdrawn.
The court heard Woodstock Police spotted Lockard slumped over in a vehicle at a local car wash on Houlton Road around 1 a.m. The vehicle was still running, and the inside was littered with bags of cannabis. A makeup bag contained 55 meth (ice) pills. Lockard was disoriented when approached by police in her vehicle. All items seized were forfeited to the crown.
Released with conditions
Matthew Gregory Parker, 40, of Aroostook, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 14 to answer multiple charges laid by RCMP. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Parker was charged with assault involving a female victim, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, resisting arrest on June 30 at Florenceville-Bristol; and breaking into a dwelling house and three counts of breaching an undertaking for another incident on Aug. 11 at Florenceville-Bristol.
The court heard he would be residing at a residence in Carlingford. He works outside the area during the week but returns on weekends and must follow a curfew.
Alleged armed intruder awaiting plea
Mason Bustard, 18, of Woodstock, appeared in court in custody by video on Aug. 20 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 3 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Bustard was denied bail on Aug. 8. He was charged with break and enter at a dwelling house and two counts of assault on July 27; breach of a release order, possession of prohibited weapons (a sawed-off shotgun and brass knuckles), possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm and ammunition without a licence on July 28; and uttering threats and causing injury to an animal (a dog) by kicking it on July 24.
Police made their arrest after spotting a suspect on Houlton Street around noon on July 28. The individual fled on a bicycle into the woods and was pursued by officers on foot. During the chase, the suspect discarded various items, including a sawed-off shotgun, brass knuckles, and a mask, which were retrieved later by an RCMP police dog.
On July 17, Bustard appeared in court appeared in court in custody on other separate charges and was released with conditions. He was scheduled to return to court for plea on Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. when he was re-arrested.
Woodstock Police charged him with breaking into a garage on Houlton Street, wearing a mask during the commission of an offence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a knife), assault with a weapon, and criminal harassment.
Bustard was arrested after police received a report of an armed intruder who entered a yard on Houlton Street on the morning of July 16 and approached a woman while holding a knife. The man’s face was partially covered with a mask or scarf.
He instructed the woman to go inside her house. She immediately complied and locked the door behind her. The man then went inside her garage before eventually leaving the area.
Sentencing set after change of plea
Jacob Alexander Roy, 26, of Windsor, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 19 and changed his plea guilty on two charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Aug. 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Roy was charged with breach of a no-contact order for an incident in Woodstock on Oct. 20, 2023. RCMP also charged him with assault involving a female victim and unlawful confinement concerning an incident on Sept. 11, 2023, in Woodstock.
He pleaded guilty to the assault and breaching the no-contact order, and the crown withdrew the confinement charge. An additional charge of breaching a release order on Jan. 7 was also withdrawn.
Roy was also charged by Woodstock Police with possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking, breach of a release order, possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 3. No plea has yet been entered.
A bail hearing on the drug and firearm charges was adjourned to Sept. 9 at 10 a.m.
Charged with pointing firearm
Tyler Tibbits, 29, of Richmond Corner, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. to answer three charges laid by RCMP.
Tibbits was charged with two counts of pointing a firearm at another person and possession of a firearm without a licence in connection with an incident on Dec. 23, 2023, at Mapledale. He made his first court appearance on Aug. 13 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.
Carlingford woman returning for plea
Kortney Boyer, 32, of Carlingford, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on an assault charge.
RCMP charged Boyer with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on March 18 at Bairdsville. Her first court appearance was scheduled for Aug. 13.
Arthurette man to enter plea
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 20 to answer multiple charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
He was charged with sexual assault, two counts of touching a minor for a sexual purpose, and uttering threats in connection with an incident between April 1, 2023 and Sept. 1, 2023, at Arthurette.
Bloodsworth also faces several firearm charges for a separate incident on June 14 at Arthurette, including possession of multiple shotguns and rifles without a licence, possession of a prohibited firearm with ready ammunition, and possession of several restricted firearms without a licence.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 25 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was ordered to follow a curfew and reside in Grand Falls.
Trial date pending
Robert McFarlane, 39, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 20 to set a date for his trial after pleading not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m., when his trial date will be set.
McFarlane appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 27 and was released with conditions.
He was charged with assaulting another man on April 4 at Florenceville-Bristol, breaking into a dwelling house, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, and breach of an undertaking on May 4 in Johnville. He was arrested on a warrant.
As part of his release, McFarlane was ordered to follow a curfew, have no contact with the complainant and stay away from a residence in Johnville. He was also prohibited from the use of firearms.
Trial adjourned to new date
Collin Francis Bear, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on Aug. 19 after pleading not guilty to four charges laid by RCMP. The trial was adjourned until Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Bear appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 31, 2023, and was released with conditions. He was charged with assault, two counts of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) involving a female victim, possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence (an axe) in connection with an incident on Aug. 26, 2023, at Neqotkuk.
His curfew was lifted with the consent of the crown during his court appearance on July 25. He remains on a release order.
Charged with assault
Amanda Moulton, 38, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge.
RCMP charged Moulton with assault involving a male victim concerning an incident on July 1 at Neqotkuk. She made her first court appearance on Aug. 13.
Remanded for plea
Joseph Martin, 37, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 20 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 3 at 11 a.m.
Martin appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on July 8 and was remanded to jail. RCMP charged him with assault for an incident on July 4 at Perth Andover. He was arrested and taken into custody on July 5.
RCMP also charged Martin with possessing a stolen ATV and breach of probation. He failed to appear in court to answer the charges on June 4, and a warrant was issued. Martin turned himself in at the courthouse on June 12 and was arrested by sheriffs. He was later released with conditions but was re-arrested.
Bail hearing set after mental health assessment
Brady Paul Brooks, 33, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 20 for a fitness hearing following a 60-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital.
Brooks disagreed with the results of a medical report that found him not criminally responsible, so his fitness hearing was adjourned. He told the court he wanted a bail hearing, and a date was set for Aug. 23 at 9:30 a.m. A new date for his fitness hearing will be scheduled at that time.
Brooks was charged by Woodstock Police with impaired driving, refusing a breathalyzer, breach of a release order, resisting arrest, uttering threats, assaulting police, and possession of a stolen vehicle concerning an incident on June 15 in Woodstock.
Brooks also appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 23 for plea on other charges laid by Woodstock Police. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for April 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and then moved to December of this year.
Woodstock Police charged Brooks with uttering threats and breaking into a dwelling house in connection with incidents between Dec. 29, 2023, and Jan. 1 in Woodstock. He was remanded to Restigouche Hospital for a previous mental health assessment after being arrested on other charges in Edmundston and was later released. On July 25, he told the court he also had charges in Moncton.
In custody awaiting plea
Matthew McGrath, 30, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 19 for a fitness hearing after a five-day mental health assessment. He was found fit to stand trial.
A bail hearing was cancelled when the court heard McGrath had already been denied bail on other charges in Edmundston. He returns to court in custody for plea in Woodstock on Sept. 3 at 10 a.m.
McGrath 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 at Plaster Rock.
He is also facing charges of failing to appear in court in Edmundston on May 28 and mischief causing property damage to the Madawaska jail on May 11.
Following his arrest in June, he was remanded to the Restigouche hospital for a mental health assessment until July 10. He is still awaiting plea on the charges.
Hearing scheduled
Richard Evan Stockford, 30, of Waterville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 20 for a fitness hearing regarding a 30-day mental health assessment in the community.
The court heard the assessment could not be completed in the community as ordered by the court. Judge Anne Dugas-Horsman scheduled a hearing on the matter for Aug. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Stockford appeared in provincial court on July 9 for plea on a threat charge. The matter was adjourned pending the completion of his mental health assessment. He was not in custody, so the court did not order him to attend the Restigouche hospital.
Woodstock Police charged Stockford with uttering threats against a local lawyer in connection with an incident on April 17, 2023.
Trial date confirmed
Jordan Little, 30, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 20 for monitoring about his trial. He confirmed he has legal counsel to proceed to trial on Aug. 29 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Little with breach of an undertaking on Oct. 4 in East Brighton by failing to follow a curfew and possession of stolen property (a truck) for another incident on July 9 at East Brighton.
He pleaded guilty to the breach charge and not guilty to possession of stolen goods during a court appearance on Nov. 14. Little will be sentenced for breaching the undertaking when he returns to court for trial.
Trial date pending
Jessica Samantha Armour, 28, of Bath, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 20 to set a date for her trial on an assault charge. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Woodstock Police charged Armour with assaulting another woman concerning an incident between Feb. 15 and Feb. 29 in Woodstock. She entered her not-guilty plea at a court appearance on July 23.
Charged with assault
Joey Spencer, 37, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 20 for plea on an assault charge. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
RCMP charged Spencer with assault involving a female victim stemming from an incident on June 29 at Perth-Andover.
Returning for plea on one charge
Stephen Manfred Spiegler, 60, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 20 for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Spiegler was charged with driving while suspended and shoplifting at the Atlantic Superstore following incidents on Feb. 9 and Feb. 26 in Woodstock.
The shoplifting charge was moved to the alternative measures program. He returns for plea on the driving charge on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Neqotkuk man to enter plea
Joshua Sisson, 37, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by RCMP. He was scheduled for plea on Aug. 20 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Sisson was charged with 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 appeared in court on July 30 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel. Sisson was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Charged with assaulting police
Bronson Paul of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.
Paul was charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on May 10 at Neqotkuk. He appeared in court on Aug. 20 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Woodstock man facing two charges
Justin Shea of Woodstock will appear in provincial court on Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on Aug. 20 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Shea was charged with mischief, causing property damage, break and enter, and theft at the East Coast Truck Wash for an incident on March 17 in Lower Woodstock.
Arthurette man to enter plea
Nicholas William Sutthery, 40, of Arthurette, will appear in provincial court for a plea on Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. on a charge of having stolen property.
Sutthery was charged by RCMP with possession of a stolen truck in connection with an incident between Jan. 1 and Jan. 11 at Carlingford. He appeared in court on Aug. 20 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Trial date pending
Steven Frank Powers, 59, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 20 for a fitness hearing following a second 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital. He was found fit to stand trial.
Powers was remanded in February for a mental health assessment at Restigouche Hospital after being arrested by RCMP. He was charged with breach of an undertaking and breach of probation for an incident in Plaster Rock. He was later transferred back to jail in Madawaska and waived his bail hearing until later.
On Aug. 20, Powers pleaded not guilty to the charges and returns to court in custody on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. to set a trial date.
Plea pending for East Brighton man
Eric Vrieze, 47, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 20 to set a date for his trial. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Vrieze pleaded not guilty in July to three charges laid by RCMP. He was charged with assaulting police with a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and resisting arrest concerning an incident on May 6 at Hartland. The matter was adjourned at that time to allow the accused to enter a rehab facility.
Jointly charged in violent kidnapping
Four men charged in relation to an alleged kidnapping with violence at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Aug. 27 at 11:30 a.m. to set a date for a joiner hearing.
Preston Sockabasin, 27, Adam Perley, 33, and Jacob Perley, 34, of Neqotkuk, await plea on multiple charges. Sockabasin was released with an ankle bracelet while the Perley men remain in custody.
They are jointly charged by RCMP with forcible confinement by choking and suffocation, unlawful confinement, administering a noxious substance, using a handgun to kidnap a female victim, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, assault causing bodily harm, and extortion with violence to obtain $10,000, concerning an attack on a woman in the community in April.
Troy Pelkey, 56, of Tilley, pleaded not guilty in June to charges related to the alleged kidnapping. His three-day trial was set for Sept. 11-13 at 9:30 a.m. Pelkey was denied bail in May but is seeking an appeal at the Court of King’s Bench in November.
At their court appearance on Aug. 27, a date for a hearing will be set regarding an application from the crown to jointly charge Pelkey with the same offences as Adam Perley, Jacob Perley and Sockabasin. Pelkey also faces two new charges of pointing a firearm at another person and possession of a firearm without a licence.
After the crown’s application is heard, a new trial date will be set for the four men.
There are three more co-accused. Sheena Sappier, 36, Keagan Paul, 32, and Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 9 jointly charged in relation to the same alleged kidnapping.
Ashley Paul appeared in custody by video after being denied bail on June 27. All three accused pleaded not guilty to a series of charges, and their five-day trial was scheduled for June 23-25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and July 28-29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Sheena Sappier and Ashley Paul were each charged with kidnapping a female victim, unlawful confinement, attempting to obstruct justice by disposing of evidence, and theft of a motor vehicle.
Keagan Paul was charged with unlawful confinement, using a handgun to kidnap a female victim and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a firearm.
Jacob Perley was also charged with pointing a firearm at a female victim, possession of a restricted weapon (a handgun), and obstructing a police officer.
He was also charged with breaching a conditional sentence order (house arrest). He appeared in court in custody by video on June 3 and was remanded to complete the rest of his sentence (317 days) behind bars.
On June 18, Jacob Perley was also ordered to serve another 27 days in jail for defaulting on a $1,200 fine for suspended driving. He will also stand trial in January on fraud charges.
Preston Sockabasin is also facing a charge of possession of a firearm without a licence and charges of dangerous driving and flight from police for a separate incident on May 7 at Neqotkuk.
Ashley Paul also pleaded guilty on July 18 to several other separate charges. Her sentencing date was set for Aug. 23 at 10 a.m.
She pleaded guilty to uttering a forged document ($2,000) and fraud for an incident on Oct. 10, 2023, at Perth Andover. The crown withdrew two other charges of possession of stolen cheques and breach of probation.
She agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond in relation to other charges of unlawful entry at a dwelling house and breach of probation on Feb. 14 at Neqotkuk.
She pleaded guilty to assaulting another woman on March 2 at Perth-Andover while the crown withdrew another charge of breach of probation. She also pleaded guilty to obstructing police on April 11 at Neqotkuk and guilty to failing to appear in court on March 19. Paul has a limited prior criminal record.
Keagan Paul and Preston Sockabasin appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 6 for their bail hearings.
They were released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to their ankles. They must also follow a curfew and undergo a 90-day drug rehabilitation program in their community.
Both men were ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs, and they were prohibited from possessing firearms. Paul and Sockabasin were also ordered to have no contact with the victim or any of the five others charged in the crime.
Sappier appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 31 for her bail hearing and was released with conditions, including a curfew and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She must also enter a drug rehab program in her community.
On Aug. 9, the court heard Sappier was being charged with breaching her curfew on July 27. She returns to court for plea on that matter on Aug. 30 at 9:30 a.m.
