Prolific Vernon dine and dasher moons judge in court

CONTENT ADVISORY

A prolific dine-and-dasher has been cited for contempt of court again after he mooned at the judge while being sentenced for ripping off two Vernon restaurants.

BC Provincial Court judge Jeremy Guild stayed remarkably calm as Travis Delain Kroeker dropped his pants and pointed his bum at the camera from custody.

“Mr. Kroeker has now pulled down his pants and showing his naked bottom to the court on video,” the judge said as a matter of fact.

Kroeber’s mooning came after he’d already told the Crown prosecutor he’d like to see her in jail for the rest of her life and called her a “dumb bitch.”

His tirade continued, calling the judge a “piece of shit” after saying “you are corrupt, you are evil.”

Kroeker’s poor behaviour saw him cited for contempt of court, making it the third time.

His belligerent behaviour is likely the reason he found himself in a jail cell in the first place.

In the summer of 2025, the 40-something wandered into numerous bars and restaurants around Vernon, ordered food and booze and then either disappeared or refused to pay.

In early February, he was found guilty of dine and dashing at the Kalamalka Hotel and Brown’s Social House, both on the same day last June.

Kroeker had ordered a few portions of chicken wings at the Kal and washed them down with a couple of Smirnoff ice coolers before telling staff he was going to check on his dog and never returning.

Later that day, he met up with William Phillips and headed to Brown’s Social House for more free booze and food. The pair ordered a martini and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc before staff recognized him and asked him to pay. He pretended to tap his phone to pay and was eventually kicked out.

Months later, in November, he took it one step further and assaulted a server at the Royal Garden Chinese Restaurant in another dine and dash incident. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail for the offences.

He’s also facing more dine and dash charges, stemming from four separate incidents in February 2025 and another in June. 

It’s a pattern of behaviour he appears to justify – he made no logical arguments in his defence – but it seems unusual for an individual who until now hasn’t had a criminal record.

Kroeker has represented himself in court and has never given any details of his life, and seems more interested in court theatrics than mounting any kind of defence.

He has repeatedly made reference to the judge’s nose growing as a reference to Pinocchio, and at an earlier bail hearing, he threatened the judge.

At the Feb. 25 sentence hearing he referred to court paperwork only being valid “while Canada is a recognized organization,” before saying Canada was a “cult.”

Judge Guild politely corrected him.

“It may be all sorts of things, but it’s a country,” the Judge said.

For ripping off Browns and the Kal, the Crown argued for a jail sentence of four to six months in jail. The Crown also wanted Kroeker to have to pay for food and drink in advance when dining out as part of his probation.

However, Judge Guild questioned how it would be enforceable.

“Although it might be good for the benefit of (businesses), I cannot see how it’s going to be enforceable or how it will prevent Mr. Kroeker from perpetrating any other crimes of fraud given his disdain for the criminal justice system,” he said.

Appearing from custody, where Kroeker has been for the last six months, Judge Guild muted his microphone for much of the proceeding.

“Mr. Kroeker’s attitude and demeanour has been disrespectful and negative throughout the trial proceedings… what I can take from all of that is that he has no regard for the laws of society and the court process in the administration of justice,” the Judge said.

As the judge was talking Kroeker gave him the middle finger with both hands.

“I can only conclude that his disregard for any laws is continuing and will continue for the foreseeable future, if not the rest of his life,” the judge said. “Accordingly, rehabilitation is not a factor to consider at all… the only consideration is denunciation and, in particular, deterrence.”

As this is technically Kroeker’s first offence, the judge sentenced him to 30 days jail, followed by 24 months probation, and in an unusual move required him to pay a $200 victim surcharge, which is normally waived for those in custody.

When finally unmuted, Kroeker told the judge someone would break into his house and arrest him for “contentious behaviour and abuse of custody authority.”

He was put back on mute.

Kroeker will be back in court next month facing three contempt of court orders.