Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT NEWS - March 14, 2008
JUDGE JAILS 'POSTER GIRL'
In Provincial Court in Princeton on March 14, Karen Haynes appeared for sentencing. Haynes had been charged with break and enter of the Rory Mervyn home on October 3, 2005. Haynes entered a guilty plea to the charge months ago, but the court awaited a pre-sentence report.
Crown Counsel advised Judge Sinclair of the circumstances of the crime. Haynes had been in the company of two males. One male had gone to the door of Mervyn's home and asked to use the phone. He discovered Mervyn's wife and 15 year old daughter in the home. He went back to Haynes to say the two were there, then returned to the home and asked to use the phone again.
The male pulled out a knife and herded mother and daughter into the bathroom where he tied them and put duct tape over their eyes and mouths. Then Haynes entered the home and she and the male ransacked the place, stealing $800 cash, some jewelry and drugs, as well as house keys and keys to the family vehicle, which Haynes drove away. The loot was split three ways between Haynes and the two males.
Two younger children came home from school and released their mother and sister. The family then fled, and did not return home until Mervyn was released from jail.
Haynes had had a dispute with Mervyn. She had been buying drugs from him and he accused her of stealing some perfume from the home.
Haynes admitted being under the influence of drugs at the time she was involved in this crime. The court was informed the 49 year old Haynes had had a drug addiction problem since she was age 15. She had numerous theft charges, and a record of not complying with court orders.
Before sentencing Haynes, Judge Sinclair said her role in planning the home invasion type robbery was unclear, but the circumstances were aggravated by violence. The judge said Haynes is a "considerable danger to the community" until she receives effective rehabilitation.
"She is certainly a poster girl for everything that is wrong with drugs," Judge Sinclair said.
He ordered Haynes to serve 18 months in jail followed by two years on probation, with a number of conditions. Haynes has a 10 year weapons prohibition.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
