Prolific South Okanagan criminal declared a dangerous offender

PENTICTON – One of the South Okanagan’s most notorious criminals won’t be getting out of jail anytime soon.

Arthur Ronald Teneycke was designated a dangerous offender and given an indefinite sentence in Penticton court today, March 15, concluding a dangerous offender hearing that began last fall.

Teneycke faced sentencing on two counts of robbery, discharge of a firearm with intent to wound, and flight from a police officer, stemming from a crime spree that took place in the Oliver area between July 16 and July 23, 2015.

Teneycke’s last victim, Oliver resident Wayne Belleville was present at today’s hearing. He was shot by Teneycke after picking him up on a remote logging road east of Oliver on July 22, 2015. Belleville suffered a collapsed lung and ruptured spleen.

“I’m obviously elated,” an emotional Belleville said of the verdict.

“He’s been given the highest penalty available and that’s exactly what he deserved," he said. "It’s been a long time coming but it’s awesome and it’s here."

"His 15 minutes of fame are now over and I look forward to never hearing his name again."

Teneycke, who appeared in person in court today, looked drawn and pale. Defence lawyer Michael Welsh told court his client was on a number of medications and needed monitoring to ensure he was capable of following the proceedings.

Teneycke, 55, has lymphoma, arthritis, Hepatitis C, Type 2 diabetes, gout, hypertension and a high resting heart rate.

Justice Richard Hewson opted to give him for an indefinite term instead of the defined conventional sentence of 10 to 12 years defence counsel was asking for.

The judge relied on opinion provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Will Reimer and psychiatrist Dr. Ronald Chale, both of who assessed Teneycke and said his attendance in programs while in prison was never followed by a change in behaviour.

Teneycke has been diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder exacerbated by substance abuse. His criminal record, spanning 35 years, includes sexual assault, assault, robbery and weapons offences

Dr. Reimer said it would be “grasping at straws” to find an effective treatment program for Teneycke, whose record of criminal acts left the doctor with the opinion future violence can be expected. He placed Teneycke in a high-risk category to re-offend, with poor prospects for supervised release.

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