Hayes avoids federal prison sentence
A Benton man avoided a federal prison sentence when he appeared in provincial court in custody via video on July 17 for a decision on the amount of jail time he would receive for leading police on a wild chase and later jumping into the Eel River.
Edward Hayes, Jr., 31, was sentenced to 24 months in jail, minus time served, after changing his plea to guilty on a raft of charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. Once his 506 days of remand time is applied, Hayes will have 225 left to serve.
Judge Rose Campbell also placed Hayes on 24 months of probation and prohibited him from driving for three years. She told the court Hayes intended to enter a rehab facility in Moncton for drug addiction as soon as he is released.
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden had recommended Hayes serve 54 months in federal prison, minus time served. He said Hayes’ drug-fuelled crime spree involved several incidents and used up a lot of police resources. Despite the danger he caused, no one was injured.
Defence Counsel Tim Murphy requested 23 months in jail, minus time served, and asked that Hayes serve the remainder of his sentence in a Moncton rehab facility. Judge Campbell said Hayes must finish his sentence behind bars before heading to rehab.
Hayes was denied bail on Nov. 6, 2025. He has been in custody since his arrest last August and has a lengthy prior criminal record.
Hayes pleaded guilty to one count of breaching his house arrest, dangerous driving, flight from police, driving while prohibited, possession of a stolen ATV, two counts of assaulting police, and mischief causing damage to a police vehicle by ramming it during incidents in Benton and Teeds Mill on July 25, 2025.
He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, flight from police, driving while prohibited, and uttering threats on July 25, 2025, in Woodstock. A breach charge was withdrawn by the Crown.
The court heard how Hayes fled Benton on a stolen ATV and led police on a wild chase through Woodstock. He drove over the lawn at the Woodstock Courthouse before heading to the RCMP detachment on Connell Street, where he drove over the lawn and spun the ATV around in the parking lot. He drove off again and uttered threats to construction workers behind Sobeys before making his escape. Days later, he was involved in three more incidents.
Hayes was charged with assault with a weapon (a knife), uttering threats and theft of a motor vehicle on Aug. 14, 2025, in Benton and theft of gas on Aug. 14, 2025, at the Debec Store. He pleaded guilty to stealing the gas and agreed to sign a 12- month peace bond for the assault and threats. The Crown withdrew the remaining charge.
Hayes also pleaded guilty to obstructing police following a bizarre incident on Aug. 15, 2025, near Meductic when he jumped into the Eel River and was captured and taken into custody. The court heard that a police helicopter and boat were called to the scene. Hayes refused to surrender to the police and would not take a life jacket. He swam back to shore after spending 45 minutes in the water and was arrested.
Hayes also pleaded guilty to another charge of assault, transferred from Edmundston. The court heard Hayes assaulted a correctional officer at the jail on Feb. 12, 2025, by pushing him and kicking him in the chest. The officer was knocked down a stairway, but another staff member caught him and broke his fall.
Verdict pending for Newburg man
Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, appeared in provincial court on July 16 for the continuation of his trial after pleading not guilty to hitting another man with a baseball bat.
After hearing closing submissions from Crown Prosecutor Charles Couturier and Defence Counsel Alex Pate, Judge Leslie Jackson reserved his decision on a verdict until Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Bull was charged by Woodstock Police with aggravated assault and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 8, 2024, at 2 a.m., when a man suffered a broken elbow after being struck by a bat on St. James Street in Woodstock.
During the trial, the male victim testified he was home partying with friends when Bull began yelling about the noise from across the street. The man said he approached Bull to talk to him when the alleged attack occurred. He said he fainted after being hit with the bat as Bull left the scene.
The defence conceded that Bull hit his neighbour with the bat, but argued it was an act of self-defence because the man made an aggressive gesture by removing his shirt and taking a punch toward Bull as a group of fellow partygoers stood and watched nearby. According to the defence, Bull swung the bat just as the man raised his arm to punch him. The victim, who was intoxicated at the time of the incident, did not know Bull and had only just arrived as a newcomer to the town.
Pate contended the victim’s testimony lacked credibility due to inconsistencies under oath and his state of intoxication during the party. He said Bull was sober during the altercation and the whole neighbourhood could hear the racket from the party.
Crown Prosecutor Charles Couturier told the court that Bull initiated the confrontation by yelling at his neighbour and then came out of his residence with the bat, even though he knew the police had already been called about the noise.
“Mr. Bull was the clear aggressor,” Couturier said. “We do agree there was a commotion on the street that was going on for some time. Mr. Bull took the law into his own hands and struck the victim. He over-reacted and used excessive force.The force used was unreasonable. Self defence does not apply. He broke the victim’s arm with a baseball bat and could still be guilty of assault causing bodily harm. The broken arm shows that excessive force was used.”
Sentencing adjourned
Adam Slipp, 36, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on July 15 after pleading guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP.
Slipp pleaded guilty to assaulting another man while threatening to use a weapon (a bat) and mischief, causing property damage to a vehicle, following an incident on Jan. 22 in Debec. The court heard he smashed a headlight and grill in the vehicle with the bat.
After hearing the statement of facts, Slipp did not agree with the Crown’s evidence about the alleged assault. That matter was set over for trial on April 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Slipp maintained his guilty plea for the mischief, and a restitution order of $3,869 for damage to the vehicle is pending against him. His sentencing was adjourned until his trial next April. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Released from custody
Clay Hargrove, 30, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody via video for sentencing on July 17 after pleading guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. He was handed an eight-month conditional sentence order with time served and will enter a rehab facility after his release. He was also placed on 24 months of probation.
Hargrove appeared in court on Jan. 19 after being arrested on a warrant and waived his bail until later. He was charged with failing to attend court and with a probation violation on Jan. 8.
He also pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm to another man and possession of a stolen ATV for an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Upper Kent. He also faced charges of resisting arrest and identity fraud.
Trial continues for Wotstak man
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 20, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Aug. 10 at 1:30 p.m. for the continuation of his trial related to an assault at the AYR Motor Centre in Woodstock. The first day of testimony took place on July 15.
Christian pleaded not guilty to assault causing bodily harm, mischief, and uttering threats concerning an incident on March 25, 2025. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Christian appeared in provincial court in custody on July 6 and changed his plea to guilty on other charges laid by the RCMP.
Christian was charged with assaulting another man with a weapon (a knife), uttering threats and mischief causing property damage to a window in connection with an incident on April 8, 2025, in Lansdowne. He pleaded guilty to the threat charge, and the remaining two charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
He also pleaded guilty to breach of a release order (no contact) for another incident on May 9-10, 2025, at Wotstak. Christian was also charged with breach of a no-contact order on April 14, 2025, in Wotstak. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date for his guilty pleas will be set after his trial concludes in August.
The court heard Christian was in custody on new charges after being arrested on June 29. He was still in custody when he came to court on July 15.
Impaired charge withdrawn
Thomas Ross Corey, 38, of Lansdowne, appeared for trial in provincial court on July 16 after pleading not guilty to impaired driving. The Crown withdrew the charge, and the trial was cancelled. Corey was charged by Woodstock Police following an incident on May 20, 2025, in Woodstock.
Change of plea
Ronald DeLong, 38, of Wilmot, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on July 15 after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by the RCMP. He received a 10-month conditional sentence order and a lifetime prohibition on firearms.
DeLong pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen motorcycle and possession of ammunition while prohibited following an incident on Aug. 7, 2024, at Wilmot.
Conditional discharge
Erin Rosalie Gauvin, 41, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared for sentencing in provincial court on July 15 after changing her plea to guilty on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. She received a conditional discharge and 12 months of probation.
Gauvin was charged with refusing a breathalyzer demand, resisting arrest, obstructing police by fleeing, and driving while suspended for incidents on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, 2024, in Woodstock. She pleaded guilty to obstruction, and the Crown withdrew the remaining charges.
Not criminally responsible
Daniel Ralph Arch, 50, of Northern Arm, Newfoundland, appeared in provincial court via teleconference on July 16 for a fitness hearing. He was found not guilty by reason of a mental disorder and was placed under the purview of the provincial mental health review board.
Arch was charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm following an accident on March 27, 2024, at Dorrington Hill near Canterbury. He pleaded not guilty, but his trial was postponed to allow him to complete a mental health assessment.
On July 16, the court heard Arch was driving at excessive speed and swerving on the Trans Canada Highway when he struck another vehicle, which left the road and overturned, injuring the male driver. Arch was delusional at the time of the accident, according to the medical evidence.
Arrested after police chase
Shayne Everett Cameron, 33, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on July 16 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was adjourned, and a new trial date will be set on July 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Cameron appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on April 2, when he waived bail. He was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, flight from police, dangerous driving, two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, and breach of probation following an incident on March 29 at Perth-Andover when a spike belt was used to stop a fleeing vehicle. Cameron has a prior criminal record.
Guilty of assault
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, was found guilty after trial when he appeared in provincial court for a verdict on an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing date was set for Sept. 18 at 9 a.m.
Hillman was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats on Sept. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. The Crown withdrew the threat charge, and his trial went ahead regarding the assault.
Hillman pleaded not guilty to mischief, dangerous driving, flight from police, and obstruction in connection with another incident on March 13, 2025, in Woodstock. He failed to appear for trial, and the court issued an arrest warrant. He was later released from custody. Hillman returns to court on July 28 to set a new trial date.
Charges withdrawn
Makayla Marie Shaw, 28, of Plaster Rock, and Adam Ronald Demerchant of Moncton appeared for trial in provincial court on July 17 after pleading not guilty to breaking into a Woodstock residence.
Woodstock Police charged the pair with breaking into a residence on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024. The Crown called no evidence at their trial, and they both received a directed verdict of not guilty.
Shaw pleaded guilty to a separate charge of breaching her release order (curfew) on Sept. 15, 2024, in Woodstock. Her sentencing date was set for Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
