Long-time Kelowna offender almost manages 2 weeks without being arrested

A recently released chronic prolific offender didn’t manage two weeks crime-free before being put back behind bars, this time for threatening staff at a Kelowna Starbucks.

While that doesn’t sound like much, two weeks without committing a crime is good going for Justin Wayne Collins, who has previously made headlines after being arrested the day he was released.

Kelowna RCMP once described him as “simply unwilling to stop committing crime” and noted that he’d generated more than 400 police files over the years.

He’s been charged more than 70 times and has a lengthy criminal record largely for violence and property crimes.

On Jul 17, Collins appeared by video from custody at the Kelowna courthouse as lawyers asked that he spend another 45 days in jail.

The court heard how Collins was released from custody June 4 and was arrested June 17 after being verbally aggressive to staff and customers at a Kelowna Starbucks.

His probation bars him from all Starbucks in the province.

Following his arrest, he was charged with breaching his probation, not uttering threats.

Crown prosecutor Dawson McKay and defence lawyer Melissa Lowe put forward a joint submission for 90 days in jail, which having credit for time already served, would mean Collins spends another 30 days behind bars.

In 2022, Collins became the public face of prolific offenders in the city, following his cycle of committed crimes almost immediately after being released.

That year, the RCMP made the unusual move of warning the public that he’d been released by the courts, having been arrested for assault, theft, and mischief.

“Kelowna RCMP continue to make arrests and bring Collins to court, however without adequate consequences or compulsory pathways to Mental Health and Substance Use programs, our public is at risk,” Kelowna RCMP said at the time.

He was arrested days after the RCMP put out the warning.

The RCMP had said he had “no regard for the safety and well-being of others.”

In the three years since Kelowna RCMP put out the statement, Collins has been in and out of jail.

Lowe told the court the 48-year-old had substance use issues, mental health challenges, and a brain injury.

His cognitive limitations seemed apparent when he addressed the court, telling Judge Michelle Daneliuk it was an “honour to be here.”

He said “a mistake was made,” but that he had good news, as he had been accepted into Redfish Treatment Center.

Judge Daneliuk said she was “absolutely delighted to hear it” and that the centre had an excellent reputation.

Collins will now spend another 45 days in custody.