Vernon gang lawyer not getting out of jail early

VERNON – Canada’s highest court has turned its back on a convicted and disbarred Vernon lawyer.

The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal application from William Mastop, 46.

Mastop was originally sentenced to one year in jail after being convicted for helping a Vernon-area criminal gang called the Greeks.

His time behind bars was increased to 30 months following a successful Crown appeal.

Mastop fought that ruling, arguing the lower court was right to give him a reduced sentence after concluding there was no proof gang members used any of the details he supplied.

The B.C. Court of Appeal rejected that argument and more than doubled Mastop’s jail time — and now the Supreme Court of Canada will not reconsider that decision.

Mastop pleaded guilty in December 2012 to passing on information about police activity to Greeks gang leader Peter Manolakos.

He was disbarred last year, but hadn’t practiced law since the charge was laid in 2010.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.