Repeated breaches results in jail time for Penticton man

PENTICTON – A man suffering mental difficulties will remain in jail for treatment following his breach of conditions.

Penticton Judge Gregory Koturbash ruled Steven Gelinas will remain in custody and seek a doctor’s care for mental issues, following sentencing on Gelina’s breach of conditions in Penticton court on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Crown prosecutor Nashina Devji noted Gelinas was on a probation order and serving a conditional sentence when he breached conditions by not attending a counselling session in respectful relations on Jan. 11.

Devji noted Gelinas’ record included eight breaches since 2016.

Defence lawyer Robert Maxwell said his client, who was serving a weekend jail sentence for a previous charge, needed intermittent jail time in order to get his job back. He said his client had been suffering from “major mental difficulties,” suffering from paranoid thoughts of people following him, and was arrested as he was attempting to go to a walk-in clinic for treatment.

“We have a bit of a history, you and I,” Judge Koturbash said to Gelinas, adding he didn’t make detention orders lightly.

The judge ordered Gelinas to remain in custody at the Okanagan Correctional Centre with a recommendation for Gelinas to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Gelinas is scheduled for a return to court Feb. 8 to consult counsel.

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