Jail time for man found with stolen candy, gift baskets from Vernon hockey tournament

VERNON – A man found with candy and gift baskets stolen from a youth hockey tournament in Vernon will have time to think about the crime in jail.

Derek Hawthorne, 45, was arrested in October after police found him in possession of various items stolen during a break-in at the Civic Arena.

The vehicle he was driving didn’t belong to him either — it was reported stolen from a local dealership the week before. Hawthorne was charged with three counts of possession of stolen property and one count of driving while prohibited. He was not charged with break-and-enter. 

Hawthorne pleaded guilty on Jan. 4 in Vernon Provincial Court to possession of stolen property over $5,000 and operating a motor vehicle while disqualified. He was scheduled to enter guilty pleas on two other counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, however those charges were stayed.

Hawthorne was handed a three month jail-term and 30 month driving prohibition.

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