Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT NEWS - October 12, 2006
NO PROFIT, JUST HOUSE ARREST
He was growing pot, but never made a nickel.
Michael A. Hayman, formerly of Princeton, appeared in Provincial court in Princeton on October 12 to plead guilty to a charge of possession of an illegal drug for the purpose of trafficking.
Hayman was arrested on November 10, 2004, along with three other residents of a home at 170 Dolly Street in Princeton. A search of the residence revealed more than 300 marijuana plants, most of which were seedlings.
Hayman admitted he was the only person growing the plants. Charges against the other residents were stayed.
Hayman, now a resident of Richmond, B.C., was ordered to serve a conditional sentence of 18 months, the first 12 to be served under house arrest, the next six months to be served under a curfew. Conditions include no alcohol or drugs, but he is allowed to go to his job.
In addition, he must pay a $1,000 fine. Following his conditional sentence, Hayman will also serve a 12 month period of probation. He forfeits everything taken from the house, and has a 10 year firearms prohibition.
The sentence was a deal worked out between Crown Counsel and Hayman's lawyer. The judge told 25 year old Hayman he was lucky they had made the deal, or he would be going to prison.
THIEF PLEADS GUILTY
Lee C. Kachkowski pled guilty in Provincial Court in Princeton on October 12 to three criminal charges. He stole a vehicle belonging to Princeton area resident Jim Cromarty, drove while impaired, and admitted to a B & E at 1674 Princeton-Summerland Road, north of Princeton.A pre-sentence report is being prepared. Kachkowski will be sentenced in Princeton Court on December 14.
NO 'WILD WEST' JUDGE SAYS
Although Jessie Williams, a former Princeton resident, told Judge Wallace why he had been angry with Scott Michaud after false accusations by Michaud, Judge Wallace was not impressed.She told Williams she had walked around Princeton and noticed it is a western town.
"This is not the wild west," she said. "You don't take matters into your own hands."
As Williams had no criminal record, she gave him a conditional discharge, and ordered a six month probation.
JUDGE ORDERS FINE
Alana Forbes, a Princeton resident, appeared in Provincial Court on October 12 to plead guilty to a charge of possession of an illegal drug: methamphetamine. On March 2, 2005, police noticed her walking downtown. She appeared to be under the influence of some substance.Police followed her and noted furtive behaviour. Forbes dropped something on the ground. She was stopped and searched. Police found methamphetamine and she was carrying a pipe for use of the drug.
Judge Wallace ordered the 44 year old woman to pay a $400 fine.
DRIVER LOSES LICENCE
A young driver learned the high cost of having too many points. On August 4, 2006, Michael Visscher, a Lower Mainland resident, was stopped in a road block at Coalmont.He had been prohibited from driving by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles due to his driving record.
Visscher appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on October 12 to plead guilty to a charge of driving while prohibited. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine and lost his right to drive for a year.
AUSTRALIAN DRIVER STILL PAYS FINE
Despite residing now in Australia, former local resident Ryan Brewer must pay a $600 fine and serve a one year B.C. driving prohibition.Lawyer Marty Johnson appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on October 12 to act as agent for Brewer, and to plead guilty to an impaired driving charge under Section 224 of the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act.
Johnson explained Brewer had moved to Australia with his parents, and is planning to apply for landed immigrant status in Australia. Brewer may never return to Canada, Johnson told the court.
Judge Wallace accepted Johnson as an agent for Brewer, but imposed the fine, which must be paid before January 31, 2007. The driving prohibition remains on the books.
DISCHARGE COMES WITH CONDITIONS
A car left for three consecutive days in the arena parking lot in Princeton led to a chain of events that brought Jason Alvarez to court in Princeton on October 12. He had left his car at the arena as a meeting point for a person to pick him up for work. The arena manager noted the car, advised the police it had been abandoned, and it was towed away.Alvarez, who lives in the rural area, needed his car to keep his job. He found the car in the Abba Towing impound lot, and drove it through the gate, causing $397.50 in damages.
Alvarez entered a guilty plea, and was given a conditional discharge, nine months on probation, and was ordered to do 20 hours of unpaid community service work, as well as pay for the damage.
JUDGE ORDERS A TASTE OF JAIL
Failure to report to her probation officer brought Dichelle Foss to court in Princeton on October 12. She admitted her guilt on the charge of breach of probation. She had been placed on probation on January 25, 2005, on conviction on a charge of causing a disturbance. She reported to her probation officer twice as required, but did not report between April 21 and May 13.A drug problem was blamed for her failure to report.
The 34 year old Princeton resident told the court she has not been on drugs or alcohol for most of the past year. She asked for one more chance, despite a history of breach of probation convictions. She did not want to go to jail.
Judge Wallace gave her the chance, but ordered her to serve three days in jail to give her a "taste of what will happen next time" she fails to report while on probation.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
