Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT DISCHARGES PRIEST
Father Frederick J. Haffey appeared in Provincial Court on June 16 to plead guilty to a mischief charge. This charge, and others related to it, were the result of an incident in which police saw two apparently inebriated men on the street and told them to go home.When police checked 20 minutes later, one of the men had left but Father Haffey was still there. Some remarks were exchanged and police took Father Haffey to the Princeton lock-up. After being placed in a cell, Father Haffey began yelling and screaming, and flooded his cell by stuffing a pillow in the toilet and a blanket in the sink.
Father Haffey complained he was ill and needed medication, but would not say what medication he needed. Eventually, police found he had passed out on the floor. His skin was hot to the touch, so an ambulance was called and the priest was taken to the hospital.
Father Haffeyıs defense counsel gave an account of the priestıs life both as a civilian priest and military chaplain, serving many communities in Canada and abroad. Father Haffey was raised in Princeton and returned in 1998 following his retirement from military service. He served two years in Princeton then became an itinerant priest for a few years, returning to Princeton between assignments.
In his defense, his lawyer said Father Haffey has medical problems, including high blood pressure. He said Father Haffey panicked in the cell and passed out.
Father Haffey told the court he doubted he would have been charged if the press had not come to him and published his story.
Judge Sinclair made a remark to the effect that Father Haffey had acquired "a taste for the grape", but gave the aging priest an absolute discharge.
DRIVERS LOSE LICENCE
In Provincial Court in Princeton on June 16, James M. Bernard, age 40, lost his right to drive for one year after pleading guilty to a charge of having more than .08 blood alcohol while having care and control of his vehicle. He was ordered to pay a $600 fine.Owen G. Matkovich, a Kelowna resident, pled guilty to the same crime. Local police found him on February 19, 2005, sitting in his vehicle in Princeton with an open can of beer in his possession. He received a $600 fine and one year driving prohibition.
Randolph Morris, age 19, was apprehended on March 12, 2005, by police patrolling Bridge Street. He had no prior convictions, and swore this would be his last. Judge Sinclair ordered a $600 fine and one year driving prohibition.
FAMILY FIGHT BRINGS CHARGE
Lamont Bzdel, of Princeton, appeared in Provincial Court on June 16 to plead guilty to a charge of common assault. He explained that he and his older sister had argued over the care his mother was receiving. His sister spat on him, and Bzdel admitted he shoved her away from him. She called police.Judge G. Sinclair ordered Bzdel to pay a $250 fine.
GROWER FORFEITS POT, GUN
In Provincial Court in Princeton on June 16, Sean D. Reichert pled guilty to a charge of production of a controlled substance. Police found 40 marijuana plants growing at his home.The 28 year old Clearwater resident had no prior convictions. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and is prohibited from possessing any firearms or explosives for 10 years. His grow operation and any firearms at the residence were forfeited to the Crown.
OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC NETS FINE FOR DRIVER
Scott Parson pled guilty in Provincial Court in Princeton to a charge of driving without due care and attention. On June 26, 2004, police observed a vehicle making a left turn from the highway. It suddenly stopped, forcing a tractor-trailer unit to veer around it in the left lane.Parson was ordered to pay a $600 fine and has restricted driving privileges for the next three months.
WINFIELD MAN LOSES LICENCE
Michael R. Tulk, age 50, of Winfield, B.C., was apprehended when attempting to avoid a road block in Princeton on February 7, 2004. Police running a road check near the Sandman Inn noticed Tulkıs vehicle make an abrupt turn into the Sandman parking lot. An officer went to Tulk and asked him to step out of the vehicle. Tulk did so, displaying signs of impairment.On Friday, June 17, Tulk pled guilty in Provincial Court in Princeton to an impaired driving charge. He was ordered to pay a $600 fine and a one year driving prohibition was imposed.
FINE COMES FROM LACK OF ATTENTION
In Provincial Court in Princeton on June 16, Laurie E. Obey pled guilty to driving without due care and attention. Police had apprehended Obey after seeing him drive through Princeton doing 50 km. in a 30 km. zone.
Following him, they observed him drive across the wooden bridge at the same speed, then take the center of the road.
When he was stopped, police believed there had been some alcohol consumed.
Although the 42 year old Princeton resident had no prior convictions, he was ordered to pay a $750 fine and received a three month driving suspension, and a year of probation with counselling and driving restrictions.
THREATS BRING FINE
Carmen Lavictoire, of Kelowna, appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on June 16 to plead guilty to a charge of uttering threats. He admitted he had done so when a man followed his ex-girlfriend and her children into a grocery store in Princeton, and began following her around the store.Lavictoire told the court this man had been known to drive past her house frequently or drive past her and her children as they walked down the street.
When the man followed her around the store, Lavictoire said he became angry and threatened the man. He said he had no intention of carrying out the threats, and does not expect to see the man again.
Judge Sinclair ordered Lavictoire to pay a $250 fine.
HARASSMENT LEADS TO COURT
On Friday, June 17, Judge G. Sinclair heard the story of Dave A. Stromquist, of Quesnel, who was answering to a charge of criminal harassment.He had worked for a local rancher, and when the job was finished at the end of the summer of 2003, he moved to Quesnel, but he continued to contact the rancher.
He sent letters, e-mails and gifts, despite her telling him to leave her alone.
In answering to the charge, Stromquist said he would never do the rancher harm.
He read a long, impassioned speech about his good character, occasionally gulping back tears.
The judge ordered a one year peace bond with the condition Stromquist is not to contact the rancher nor any members of her immediate family.
If he breaches the bond, he will have to pay $1,000.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
