Evicted from Osoyoos band land, Oliver man will be incarcerated there

PENTICTON – An Oliver man sentenced to 150 days in jail for possession of stolen property and three breaches will be incarcerated on property he was just evicted from.

Jeremy Leslie Hargreaves, 36, will spend his jail time in the newly opened Okanagan Correctional Centre, which is located on land owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band. Hargreaves had been living on the reserve up until recently when he was evicted by the band’s council after numerous police visits to his residence.

Crown prosecutor Ann Lerchs told court on Thursday, Jan. 19, Hargreaves' troubles with the law continued while on probation for a June 11, 2015, conviction on an assault charge.

He was identified while pawning a drill taken in a March vehicle break and enter in Penticton, and found to be in breach of conditions of his probation on the 2015 conviction, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Police arrested Hargreaves on June 22. He was released the same day, and on July 20 breached his curfew conditions. After being arrested and released once again, he was found in breach of curfew conditions on Nov. 22, and arrested Jan. 22 , 2017.

Lerchs pointed to Hargreaves' prior record, which included two property offences and four breaches, when she asked Judge Gregory Koturbash for a 150 to 180 day jail sentence.

Defence lawyer James Pennington told court his client was trying to start an automotive business, living on a property on the Osoyoos Indian Band when he was evicted after numerous police visits to the property. Pennington asked the judge to consider a 90 day intermittent sentence to allow his client to continue his business.

Hargreaves also addressed the judge, saying he had been before Judge Koturbash in June and had “done everything I said I was going to do.”

“Not exactly everything,” said the judge, recalling Hargreaves’ numerous breaches.

“It’s probably not a good idea to string that story along,” Koturbash said, adding Hargeaves needed to “grow up at some point.”

With credit for time served, Hargreaves has 144 days left to serve. He also faces 12 months’ probation, with conditions that include a curfew.

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