Court
Victim’s mother gives emotional testimony in dangerous offender hearing
PENTICTON - The mother of a sexual assault victim in the dangerous offender sentencing hearing for David Bobbitt recalled the summer night her daughter went missing for hours, tortured by the man who held her captive. Her daughter hadn't shown up to work or dropped off her then 22-month-old son at his grandparents’ house to...
Lytton man awaits sentencing for killing friend nearly 15 years ago
KAMLOOPS – After killing his friend, burying his body and keeping it a secret for nearly 13 years, a Lytton man is expected to spend another six to nine years in prison. In 1999, when the two friends were drinking, William Robert Smith, born 1967, beat Sandy Charlie to death in 1999 after hearing he...
House party killer appeal shot down
KELOWNA - A 29-year-old Kelowna man convicted of shooting and killing a high school student at a house party in 2007 will not be granted appeal, according to a hearing summary released Thursday. Trevor Shannon, who was 22 at the time, was sentenced to life in prison in 2012. He maintains he was trying to...
Driving a van full of pot plants leads to a fine
KAMLOOPS - A two-year court case for a man caught driving a van full of marijuana plants is over once he pays the $2,000 fine handed to him in Kamloops Provincial Court Monday morning. Corey Joseph Eld, 36, was arrested in November 2012 after a routine stop near Barriere revealed he was transporting 73 marijuana...
Thieves targeted non-profit 11 times in a month
KAMLOOPS – “Frustrating” and “disheartening” are two words Jan Lingford uses to describe thieves targeting the disadvantaged. The executive director of the Kamloops Habitat for Humanity non-profit says thieves stole from the branch’s supply storage facility 11 times last month. Copper, aluminum, and steel – metals the organization uses to build houses for those who...
Man accused of online luring, child pornography will stand trial
VERNON - A Vernon man accused of possessing child pornography and luring children has been ordered to stand trial. David Willerth, born in 1974, faces 25 charges including making or publishing child pornography, communicating via computer to to lure children under 16, and invitation to sexual touching. After a five-hour preliminary inquiry June 19, the...
Judge to determine if alleged child predator will go to trial
VERNON - A Vernon man should learn today if he will be tried for a long list of sexual crimes against children. David Willerth, born in 1974, was arrested last summer on numerous child luring and child pornography charges. He faces 25 charges, including making or publishing child pornography, communicating via computer to lure a...
Two of three accused Westside shooters plead guilty
KELOWNA — Two of three suspects accused of getting into a shootout with police in West Kelowna almost 2 years ago have pleaded guilty. Ashley Alexandria Collins, 21, and Shawn Adam Wysinski, 34, entered their pleas Wednesday in Kelowna Supreme Court. The case dates back to July 31, 2012 when Collins, Wysinski and Michael Edward...
Man arrested for alleged assault
BARRIERE - A Barriere man was taken into custody Monday morning after he allegedly threatened and assaulted a 55-year-old man Saturday night. Jordee Edward Beeds, 22, faces a number of potential charges following an incident at a home on the 3500 block of South Barriere Lake Road. Police were told Beeds had access to firearms...
Kelowna man faces the judge following armed robbery
KELOWNA - A 22-year-old Kelowna man was arrested after a Subway restaurant was robbed at knife-point Monday. Mounties headed to the Subway Restaurant at 1100 Lawrence Ave. just after 6:45 June 9 when the hold-up alarm was triggered. When they arrived, they were told an unknown man came into the restaurant with a knife in...
Police swap suspects in hit and run case
KELOWNA – Charges have been dropped against a Kelowna man accused of critically injuring a paper carrier while fleeing from police and RCMP have arrested a new suspect. Nathan Fahl, 24, was riding in a vehicle with two other people Dec. 6, 2013 when they allegedly tried to avoid a police road check on Springfield...
Judge says domestic abuser fighting ‘losing battle’
PENTICTON — A provincial court judge says there’s no hope ordering mandatory counselling for a serial domestic offender since he's been doing it for 15 years. Neil Allison Ryerson, born in 1968, was sentenced today in Penticton Provincial Court to six months in jail for beating up his now ex-girlfriend. Ryerson has an extensive criminal...
Vernon man sues Aeroplan over cancellation of points
KELOWNA – An Vernon man claiming thousands of dollars in damages as a result of a consumer loyalty program that cancelled his points, will have to wait for another lawsuit to be settled before his case can be heard. John David Romanchuk alleges Aeroplan, a program where members accumulate points for making purchases, unilaterally cancelled...
Snelson seeks bail before manslaughter re-trial
KAMLOOPS – A Kelowna man is seeking bail in a hearing tomorrow in advance of his second trial for the 1993 rape and murder of a college student. Neil George Snelson, 47, is awaiting a new trial ordered by the B.C. Court of Appeal. His trial was delayed again today. Snelson requested more time for...
Retirement age begins in prison for this child molester
KELOWNA – A 64-year-old man is going to jail for molesting two of his own relatives almost 30 years ago. The man, who can't be named by court order, appeared in court Monday with his current wife and pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault, gross indecency and sexual assault. He admitted to sexually abusing...