Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT NEWS - May 8, 2008
JUDGE FINDS DRIVER NOT GUILTY
Kimball G. Maynard, of Princeton, went to trial in Provincial Court on May 8 facing a charge of driving while prohibited. The charge was based on an impaired driving investigation begun on December 21, 2004, when police issued a driving prohibition.
Under the terms of the prohibition, Maynard had seven days to request a review, or in 21 days he would begin a 90 day prohibition. Maynard requested the review. A decision would have to be rendered by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles by January 10, 2005.
On January 14, Maynard was driving his vehicle and was stopped and charged with driving while prohibited.
Maynard's defence counsel argued that Maynard was not advised that his review was unsuccessful. The decision had been made, but Maynard was not notified. In fact, his lawyer presented evidence showing the notification was sent to his counsel's office by regular mail and arrived after the date Maynard was charged.
Judge G. Sinclair ruled Maynard was not guilty, as he had done all that he needed to do, and he, or his lawyer, should have been notified immediately that the decision was not in his
favour.
JUDGE SETS LIMITS FOR CHEF
In Provincial Court in Princeton on May 8, Kevin J. Reinhardt attended for sentencing. He had entered guilty pleas to common assault, breach of undertaking and breach of recognizance. All charges arose out of an incident on June 8, 2007, at Linguini's Restaurant in Princeton.
Reinhardt had been a business partner in the restaurant, and had been drinking after hours with guests at the restaurant. He ordered more drinks for himself and friends, and although his partner allowed it, she told him he should not be out there drinking when the restaurant was closed.
Staff was becoming concerned at his rude behaviour. At midnight, Reinhardt's partner told his friends they would have to leave, and Reinhardt became abusive and assaulted her, pushing her to the floor and injuring her leg. He threatened to kill himself and her. The abuse, both physical and verbal, went on until his partner was able to flag down a police cruiser on Vermilion Avenue.
The partner was taken to hospital, but police could not find Reinhardt until the next morning. He was charged, and ordered to stay away from the restaurant and his partner. Instead, he went back and was charged for the breach of undertaking.
He was later placed under a court ordered recognizance with a condition that he not consume alcohol. On June 16, he was drinking in the Coalmont Hotel and followed customers to a residence in Coalmont where he became a nuisance.
A pre-sentence report indicated Reinhardt showed no remorse for what he had done. The 42 year old chef saw no reason to change his behaviour and said he thinks of making people angry as an amusement. He blamed his partner for what happened.
The partner submitted a victim impact statement which outlined living in constant fear of Reinhardt, as well as loss of business and some permanent physical damage due to injuries he inflicted.
Judge G. Sinclair made it clear he had no grounds to send Reinhardt to jail, but emphasized Reinhardt had a long standing history of alcohol related incidents, and the alcohol problem must be addressed. He sentenced Reinhardt to 15 months probation for the assault, and three months for the breaches. Reinhardt is opening a restaurant in Bowden, Alberta, and was ordered to leave Princeton by May 13, 2008.
If he must come back for any reason, he must notify his probation officer. Recommendations were made for Reinhardt to undergo alcohol abuse counselling, as well as counselling for anger management and domestic violence. He is to have no weapons and must give a DNA sample.
WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY
A night in jail brought Princeton resident Maria Ball to Provincial Court in Princeton on May 8. Ball had been arrested for public consumption of alcohol on March 25, and when placed in the police cruiser, she became very angry and verbally abusive. When placed in a cell at the detachment, she had carved words into a bench and wall, doing damage estimated at $500.
Ball admitted she has problems, and needs help dealing with them. Judge Sinclair placed her on probation for 12 months, during which she is not to consume alcohol nor enter any bars or pubs.
MAN LOSES LICENCE
Darrell Morris, a Surrey resident, appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on May 8 to plead guilty to a charge of refusing to give a breath sample. He had been arrested after police had noted his vehicle weaving in the lane and crossing over the fog line.
Morris was ordered to pay a $600 fine and is prohibited from driving for one year.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
