Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT NEWS - December 14, 2006
HOME INVADER GETS HOME JAIL
On July 7, 2006, Teresa Viera wakened hearing noises in the house on Princeton-Summerland Road. She woke husband Jim Cromarty, who went to investigate. He found a man tossing household items around, smashing dishes and other things. Cromarty persuaded the man to leave.
On leaving, the intruder found keys in Cromarty's pick-up truck and began driving the truck. He subsequently smashed into Viera's Grand Am, which was totalled, demolished the children's swing set, and crashed into the porch before driving away.
Police located the stolen vehicle being driven down the road, where it came to a stop in the ditch. The driver abandoned the vehicle and ran into the bushes and forest nearby. Police followed and arrested Lee Kachowski.
Kachowski was taken to Princeton Detachment where a breath test yielded readings of .220 and .200, showing Kachowski was very drunk.
Kachowski pled guilty to several charges arising from this incident and appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on December 14, 2006, for sentencing.
A pre-sentence report had been prepared as well as a victim impact statement. Crown Counsel noted the report said Kachowski did not take the incident too seriously, and Judge G. Sinclair told Kachowski it should be taken very seriously, as he could be sentenced up to life in prison for home invasion.
Kachowski Os Defense Counsel said Kachowski had been drunk, but Judge Sinclair said lots of people got drunk and did not break into other people's homes and wreck things.
In sentencing Kachowski, Judge Sinclair stated that when Kachowski drinks, "he loses his inhibitions to a greater extent than most people."
Kachowski is 29 years old, has no job, and lives in Kamloops on an income he inherited. His lawyer said Kachowski was bored when he lived in Princeton and this led to drinking.
Judge Sinclair ordered Kachowski to serve six months of house arrest followed by a year on probation. In addition, he must pay a $600 fine for drunk driving and loses his right to drive for a year. He must pay $1,200 to Cromarty and Viera for damages.
A number of conditions were specified for Kachowski during house arrest, including an alcohol prohibition, a curfew, and recommendations for couselling for alcohol abuse, anger management and violence prevention. He is not to go near Jim Cromarty, Teresa Viera nor their children, and is not to go on their property.
OLD CHARGES COST PLENTY
Keith A. Brochu appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on December 14, 2006, to plead guilty to charges arising in Prince Rupert, B.C. Brochu had been charged for driving while impaired in two separate incidents, and had one charge of failing to appeared in court when summonsed.Brochu pled guilty to all charges.
He was ordered to pay a $600 fine for the first charge, $800 for the second, and $100 for failing to appear in court. In addition, he is prohibited from driving for 15 months.
MAN SETTLES WITH PEACE BOND
Tyler Gunn appeared happy to settle an assault charge and a charge of uttering threats with a peace bond. Charges were laid as a result of a dispute between two local families. The peace bond includes a no contact order.Gunn must have nothing to do with either Ryan or Brandon Young for one year.
WIDE TURN COSTS LOCAL MAN MONEY
Police saw Kimball Maynard make a wide turn on Highway 3 in Princeton on December 21, 2004. Police followed and noted he had a problem staying in his own lane. He was stopped and an impaired driving investigation began after police noted he smelled of liquor.Maynard appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on December 14, 2006, to plead guilty to a lesser charge of driving without due care and attention.
The 48 year old Princeton man was ordered to pay a $500 fine.
LOCAL MAN PAYS BIG FINE
In Provincial Court in Princeton on December 14, 2006, a guilty plea was entered on behalf of James R. Herrick by his lawyer.Herrick had been charged with driving while impaired on October 16, 2004, but pled guilty to a lesser charge of driving without due care and attention.
The 60 year old Princeton resident was ordered to pay a fine totalling $1,000.00.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
