Ignoring court orders costs Penticton man six months in jail

PENTICTON – A Penticton man who thumbed his nose at three conditional discharges by committing numerous breaches will serve several months in jail for ignoring the law.

Lukas Michael Danielson, 20, entered guilty pleas on six counts of breaching a probation order, two counts of breach of undertaking, one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of wilfully resisting a peace officer in Penticton court today, July 11.

The charges related to conditional sentences handed to Danielson for crimes committed during a roughly five month period in Penticton last winter and this spring.

Danielson was caught stealing over $500 worth of Lego merchandise on Nov.13, 2015, after leaving the store with the goods hidden in a stroller.

He was released on conditions, including one to serve a number of volunteer hours in the community.

"He failed to make himself available to his parole officer on numerous occasions, in addition to failing to perform his community service within the allotted period,” Crown prosecutor Vern Frolick told court.

On May 2, 2016, police found Danielson in breach of a curfew when they could not find him at his residence just after his 9 p.m. curfew.

Danielson showed up at the address a few minutes later, but when told he was under arrest, got into his girlfriend’s vehicle and told her to drive away. Commands by the police officer were ignored, as Danielson called his lawyer from inside the locked vehicle, which remained stationary. After speaking to his lawyer, Danielson opened the door was arrested.

Frolick asked Judge Gale Sinclair for a seven month jail term and 12 months probation calling Danielson’s record for compliance “abysmal.”

Defence lawyer Robert Maxwell told court his client had not been working and had been under the influence of methamphetamine during his crimes.

“He’s been five months off the rails doing drugs. You’re not on court orders when you’re doing that, and there’s a price to pay,” he said, asking for a four month jail term for his client.

Observing the many breaches of probation orders and recognizance, in addition to two previous thefts and the one from Walmart, Judge Gale Sinclair said Danielson had “blown off” three conditional discharges for theft.

He issued a sentence of six months' jail time followed by a year’s probation.

“What a way to wreck a life. When will people get the message — crystal meth makes fools or idiots. It’s a sad situation,” he said, telling Danielson if he didn’t get off the drug he might die, or spend a lot more time in jail.

Daneilson has served 26 days of his six month sentence since his bail was revoked on June 16, 2016. He receives no credit for time served.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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