Intermittent jail term for Penticton man caught shoplifting

PENTICTON – A Penticton man will serve a 30 day intermittent jail sentence after entering a guilty plea for theft under $5,000.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Vandersluys told Penticton court Tuesday, Feb. 20, Brandon Ryan Joseph Irving, 34, was spotted by the Penticton London Drugs loss prevention officer on July 28, 2016, browsing the electronics section of the store.

Surveillance video showed him stuffing a pair of bluetooth speakers, valued at $79.99, down his pants prior to purchasing a soft drink and exiting the store, where he was apprehended.

Vandersluys said Irving had a previous record for theft under $5,000 and recommended a sentence of 45 days in jail.

Defence lawyer Robert Maxwell said his client was a former methamphetamine user who had been clean for a year and a half.

He said Irving stole the speakers to sell for money to buy food, asking Judge Gale Sinclair to consider a $500 fine with six months to pay, or an intermittent jail term.

Judge Sinclair ordered Irving to a 30 day intermittent sentence.

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