Jail term for underwear-clad man involved in police chase through Penticton neighbourhood

PENTICTON – A Penticton man struggling to obey court orders has received two months in jail for a breach and a lengthy foot chase from police through a Penticton neighbourhood.

Nigel Ernest Laforme entered guilty pleas in Penticton court today, July 22, for breaching probation, willfully resisting arrest and being in a dwelling house without lawful excuse.

Crown Prosecutor Kurt Froehlich told court Laforme failed to report to his probation officer on May 2, 2016.

When police attended the residence where Laforme lived with his parents, they discovered Laforme had just jumped out the bathroom window while they were searching the house.

A foot chase ensued down Huth Avenue after a resident reported a man running down the street in his underwear. Police pursued Laforme through backyards and over fences. He eventually came to an Atkinson Street residence where he pushed his way through the front door and ran through the house, exiting through the rear.

The homeowners were in the residence at the time, and noticed blood on the floor following Laforme’s flight.

Police eventually caught up with Laforme, where he was arrested. He had suffered a cut on his right foot from the chase.

The homeowners said in a statement to police they weren’t traumatized by the event but did not want the man in their home.

Defence lawyer Robert Maxwell asked Judge Sinclair to consider a joint submission of 60 days for the charges, noting his client had no previous history of property offences.

“It’s time you grew up. You’re 25 years old, you come from a good family. It’s time you started taking responsibility for your actions,” Maxwell said.

“I know I kinda messed up, I was just about done my probation order. I’ve been good other than that,” Laforme told the court.

“Don’t breach your probation anymore. Mr. Maxwell said it all, I’m not going to preach today,” Judge Gale Sinclair said, accepting the joint submission.

With credit for time served, Laforme has 14 days remaining in his sentence, following by a year’s probation, which includes an order to stay clear of the Atkinson Street residence he entered.

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