Victim relieved after guilty pleas from prolific offender

PENTICTON – The Oliver man allegedly wounded by prolific offender Ronald Teneycke expressed relief this afternoon following Teneycke’s admission of guilt on four charges stemming from the July, 2015 incident.

An emotional Wayne Belleville told reporters outside Penticton court Thursday, April 14 he was happy Teneycke pled guilty to four charges including robbery, intent to wound, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime and flight from a police officer.

The charges stem from a crime spree Teneycke embarked on July 16, 2015, beginning with the  robbery of Eastside Market in Oliver,  and ending July 23 after Teneycke was cornered in a Cawston orchard by police.

During the crime spree, Belleville’s truck and cell phone was taken from him after he was shot by Teneycke following a chance meeting on a logging road east of Oliver.

“I only spent five minutes with the man and he irrevocably changed my life,” Belleville said, adding he was glad he would be spared a trial with the guilty pleas.

Teneycke appeared by video in court, as did Judge Richard Hewson as Crown Prosecutors Kurt Froehlich and Murray Kaay appeared in Penticton Provincial Court with defence lawyer Michael Welsh.

Teneycke’s guilty pleas mean he will be sentenced by a provincial court judge. Crown also made applied to have him declared a dangerous or long term offender, noting the serious nature of his personal injury crimes.

Prosecutor Kaay noted the robbery and intent to wound charges carried minimum terms of five and four years respectively.

Judge Hewson said he was satisfied there were reasonable grounds for the declaration and ordered an assessment report.

Teneycke’s case was adjourned to June 8.

Several other charges applicable to Teneycke were stayed by Crown.

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