Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT NEWS - January 11 and 12, 2007
BAR FIGHT ENDS IN COURT
Danny E. Ladouceur stood trial on January 12 in Princeton Provincial Court for the assault of Augustino Migliorino.
The incident began with Migliorino, John O'Rourke and Dave Smith, all older men, sitting in Princeton Hotel bar enjoying non-alcoholic beverages and socializing. Around midnight, Ladouceur, also over age 60, approached the table and asked for a ride home. All three refused. Migliorino said he told Ladouceur to stay away from him. He said Ladouceur came at him with his fists and blackened one eye and bruised his cheek and chest with punches.
Migliorino said he did not put up a fight until he remembered his cane (he is disabled) and raised it. Ladouceur left then.
Smith testified that Ladouceur appeared drunk, but he saw only one punch which gave Migliorino a shiner. O'Rourke said Ladouceur hit Migliorino several times.
Solange St. Pierre, the bartender that evening, said she saw a fight and went over to tell them to take it outside or stop. She did not know how much Ladouceur had to drink nor who hit who first.
Ladouceur took the witness stand in his own behalf and stated he had leaned across the table to respond to remarks made by Migliorino who was sitting at the back of the booth. Ladouceur said Migliorino grabbed him and pulled at him, so Ladouceur defended himself.
After hearing all of the testimony, Judge G. Sinclair found Ladouceur guilty and ordered him to serve an eight month probation and to have no contact with Tino Migliorino.
THIEF PAYS FINE
In Provincial Court in Princeton on January 12, D. Venables pled guilty to stealing a bicycle, a wallet and a chainsaw. Evidence revealed that on April 28, 2005, Venables entered a ranch home and stole a wallet containing between $450 and $475, as well as a chainsaw. The wallet was handcrafted with a distinctive design.Later, Venables girlfriend was being treated at Princeton General Hospital. An X-ray technician rode his bicycle to work that day and left it parked at the hospital. When he discovered it was missing, witnesses described a van in the area.
Police found the van, and discovered the bicycle, wallet and chainsaw in the van. The owner, Venables, was charged with theft.
The 27 year old construction worker from Mission had been taking illegal drugs and had no money. Approximately $150 was missing from the wallet.
Judge G. Sinclair ordered Venables to pay a total of $500 in fines and to repay $150 to the rancher. In addition, Venables must serve a nine month probation.
DRIVER LOSES LICENSE
Frederick James Haffey appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton to plead guilty on January 12 to a charge of driving without due care and attention. On March 26, 2005, police noticed a vehicle being driven without headlights. They followed it and noted some erratic driving. Police stopped the vehicle and then charged Haffey with impaired driving.Due to some constitutional issues, Haffey was able to plead to a lesser charge. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and is prohibited from driving for three months.
JUDGE ACQUITS LANGLEY DRIVER
Peter J. Harrison, a resident of Langley, stood trial in Provincial Court in Princeton on a charge of dangerous driving. The charge arose as a result of a complaint to RCMP by a motorist watching Harrison's Nissan Pathfinder on Highway 3 on July 29, 2004.Robert Gettings said he had observed the Nissan "weaving" across the lane, and became convinced the driver was drunk. He felt Harrison was driving too fast and cutting corners too fine. He followed Harrison from Manning Park to near Princeton, where Gettings forced the Nissan to pull over. Gettings said Harrison looked drunk. They exchanged a few words, then Harrison went back into his vehicle and drove away. Gettings asked his girlfriend to call 911 and report the Nissan.
Another couple, travelling in front of Gettings, testified that he had frightened the passenger by passing on the right hand lane just before the highway merged from four lanes to two.
Harrison testified that he was not drunk, and had not been drinking. When police stopped him a little west of Princeton, they never asked him to take a breath test.
Judge G. Sinclair said the charge of dangerous driving should be based on "a marked departure from normal driving". Judge Sinclair commented that Harrison's driving was "not the greatest driving" but there was enough reasonable doubt to find Harrison not guilty of dangerous driving.
DRIVER FALLS OFF WAGON
In Provincial Court in Princeton on January 11, Andre A. Kiraly pled guilty to charges of driving with over .08 alcohol in his blood. He was apprehended on October 27, 2006, when a police officer saw Kiraly pull out of a service station and enter the highway at an excessive speed.When stopped by police, Kiraly showed signs of impairment. Breathalyzer tests gave readings of .27 and .25, more than three times the legal limit.
Kiraly admitted he has an alcohol problem, but had been sober for many years. He had been working far from his home in the Kootenays and fell off the wagon without his support system.
Judge G. Sinclair ordered the 42 year old man to pay a $800 fine and prohibited him from driving for one year.
JUDGE ORDERS PROBATION
On January 11, in Provincial Court in Princeton, Rebecca Jean Williams entered a guilty plea to a charge of theft under $5,000 and uttering threats.The incidents leading to the charges began on September 6, 2006, when Williams went to the home of Dave McMow. He let her in and then went out to do errands while she stayed in his house and had a sleep. When he returned, he found some of his possessions were missing. He went to the local pawn shop and located his belongings. He learned that Williams had pawned them. He reclaimed them for $25, and reported her to police.
On September 27, McMow complained to police that during an argument with Williams on September 20, she threatened to kill him and advised him not to "take it lightly".
Williams admitted to a problem with alcohol, and has now joined AA.
Judge G. Sinclair ordered Williams to serve a nine month probation during which she is to take any counselling recommended by her probation officer. She is prohibited from owning firearms or explosives for three years.
JUDGE SUSPENDS SENTENCE
On November 26, 2006, Mike Allison came home at 2:00 AM and found the door to his home had been kicked in.A family dispute was in progress between his son Jay and Jay's wife.
Jay had kicked in the door when his wife fled to the senior Allison's residence.
Jay Edward Allison appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on January 11 to plead guilty to assault.
He had no prior convictions. Judge G. Sinclair ordered the 22 year old Hedley resident to serve a one year suspended sentence with a number of conditions including no alcohol consumption, counselling, and providing a DNA sample.
A number of convictions of crimes involving interpersonal violence now require providing a DNA sample as part of the sentencing.
DOMESTIC DISPUTE ENDS IN COURT
A disagreement between a husband and wife on October 20, 2006, brought Kenneth R. Romaneski to Provincial Court in Princeton on January 11.Romaneski pled guilty to a charge of assaulting his former common-law wife during an argument at their home in Hedley. Both had been consuming alcohol, and when police arrived at the scene, Romaneski was very intoxicated. His former wife had wounds on her face. She told police he had hit and kicked her.
Judge G. Sinclair suspended sentence, ordering the 56 year old man to serve a one year probation during which he must take any counselling ordered by his probation officer.
His contact with his former wife can occur only with her consent. He is prohibited from owning firearms or explosives for five years and must give RCMP a DNA sample.
KEREMEOS HOME BECOMES A JAIL
Shane Baranec, of Keremeos, will serve a four month jail sentence in his own home. Baranec appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on January 11 for sentencing. He had entered a guilty plea to charges of using a stolen credit card and breach of probation.Judge G. Sinclair ordered four months at home with a curfew and no alcohol or illicit drugs, although Baranec will be allowed to go to his job and to medical appointments. He will serve 30 days concurrently for his breach of probation.
Following confinement at home, Baranec will serve an additional four months probation. He was ordered to make restitution to Heather Pearson in the amount of $312.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
