On average, Kelowna prolific offender committed offence every 11.5 days

Kelowna resident Joseph Drew Perkins has only spent two of the last seven years out of jail, but in that time he’s racked up 67 convictions.

From daily thefts from 7-Eleven to throwing rocks at vehicles, over the years, the 43-year-old has earned himself 94 convictions. 

On July 3, at the Kelowna courthouse, he added two more to the list.

Crown prosecutor Nicholas Lerfold said Perkins subjected the community to a “constant barrage” of low-level violence and vandalism.

“And when I say constant, I do mean constant,” Lerfold said. “(He) averages an offence for every 11 and a half days he’s out of custody.”

The Crown said that over the last five years, Perkins had been convicted of shoplifting from 7-Eleven numerous times and of damaging cars.

“It’s become almost his exclusive pattern of offending,” the Crown said.

His latest convictions followed the same pattern.

The court heard that in March, Perkins stole about $30 of ice cream and chocolate bars from the 7-Eleven at Gordon Drive and Bernard Avenue. The next day, he did exactly the same thing.

Staff knew him well, and one had even testified at a previous trial. 

The next day, he vandalized vehicles in the parking lot of the Boys and Girls Club on Richter Street.

One driver was sitting in their parked car when Perkins “body-slammed” the vehicle, denting the front panel.

“He said the male was yelling and swearing, and then roundhouse kicked another nearby vehicle, punched a third vehicle, and then punched another vehicle in the same parking lot,” the Crown said.

When police arrived, he tried to hide behind a bush but got arrested. He’d been in custody since.

“Mr. Perkins has a very significant criminal record,” the Crown said. “It’s a broad mix of violence, property crime, a small number of sexual and exposure-type offences.”

There are convictions for robbery, break and enter, and assaulting police officers, along with lots of shoplifting. He’d been known to steal from the same 7-Eleven on a daily basis and was sometimes violent when confronted.

As shoplifting isn’t a serious crime, jail sentences had been for months, not years. 

Crown argued for a year in jail – a significant sentence for a low-level crime.

“He needs to be given a sentence that finally gets through to him, that he can’t just get into the community and continue to act this way towards other people, towards vehicles, towards his fellow inhabitants,” the Crown said. “He just can’t continue to do this all while completely disregarding any efforts anyone takes to intervene and actually help him.”

The court heard Perkins had refused any help and had not complied with probation orders. 

“The public deserves every ounce of protection the court can give… even if that means trying over and over again until Mr. Perkins is finally willing to accept help that’s being offered to him,” Lerfold said. “I think we’re unfortunately at a point with Mr. Perkins where the only way to protect the public is to continue to give him these lengthy jail sentences.”

Defence lawyer Melissa Lowe said Perkins had a Grade 9 education, struggled with homelessness, addiction issues and mental health challenges.

“Often when he finds himself getting into trouble, he’s often under the influence of substances,” Lowe said. “That may also speak to some of the aggression that we’ve heard.”

However, for the first time, Perkins had engaged in some programming and taken courses since being in jail.

Judge Dennis Ferbey asked Perkins what had changed.

“It’s just about time,” Perkins replied. “I’m willing to give it a go, try my best.”

Ultimately, Judge Ferbey sentenced Perkins to 10 months jail, which with time already spent inside, leaves six months left to serve.