Probation for Kamloops woman who punched police officer in face
KAMLOOPS – A Kamloops woman has been sentenced to time served and one year of probation for punching a cop in the face.
Hayley Haines, 20, appeared in Kamloops Provincial Court today, March 21, where she pleaded guilty to one charge of assaulting a peace officer and one charge of breaching a recognizance.
Crown prosecutor Michael Wong told the court that police were called to the Star Lodge in Kamloops on Feb. 12 for a disturbance. Police arrived and tried to arrest Haines, but during the attempt she punched one of the arresting officers in the face. Officers took her to the ground and she was taken into police custody.
A few days later, Haines was released on bail, Wong said. She failed to report to her supervisor and ended up being taken back into police custody after she phoned the detachment on Feb. 20.
Wong said Haines called police from Walmart and said she believed people were following her and appeared to be paranoid. Police attended and spoke with her, and she admitted she was on meth.
Wong asked Kamloops Provincial Court Judge Roy Dickey for a sentence of time served, followed by one year of probation.
Defence lawyer Graham Kay detailed some of Haines's struggles, including being put into ministry care from a young age after being neglected and abused.
Kay says there have been attempts to have Haines put into long-term care at Hillside Centre and South Hills Tertiary Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre. He said his client was no longer able to stay at South Hills due to her behaviour.
She suffers from schizophrenia and substance abuse issues.
"This is going to be a long haul for Ms. Haines," Kay told the court.
The plan now is to have her stay in a residence at The Duchess on Tranquille Road, while she gets help from King Street Clinic, which provides a number of services to people suffering from mental health issues.
Haines was given 51 days credit for time served and will be released into the care of community corrections. She's also been placed on a one-year probation order.
Along with her sentence, a Rogers Order was imposed on Haines, which essentially means she must take care of her mental health and follow medical advice during her probation.
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