Provincial Court
This little piggy dug up the neighbour’s yard, this one went on the highway, this piggy’s owner went all the way to court
KAMLOOPS – If pigs could fly, a 77-year-old farmer and his neighbours probably wouldn't be in the predicament that landed them in Kamloops Provincial Court this month. Pig farmer Paul Peter Sabyan received numerous complaints from neighbours about his livestock breaking its barrier and destroying land adjacent to his Louis Creek property, south of Barriere. ...
Arsonist admits to burning down West Kelowna Lion’s Hall
KELOWNA – Kerry Robert Cooper pleaded guilty Thursday morning to burning down the West Kelowna Lion’s Hall. Cooper, 30, entered the plea from North Fraser Pre-Trial, declining legal representation. Crown prosecutor Dave Grabavac says Cooper admitted to the Sept. 1 arson after seeing video footage of him buying gas, walking in the direction of the...
Judge to hear evidence against Lumby man accused of murder
VERNON - A Lumby man accused of murdering his girlfriend, a local teacher, is before a provincial court judge this week. A preliminary inquiry for Howard Everett Krewson, also known as Howard Everett, began Wednesday, Feb. 4 and is scheduled to last five days. Krewson, 55, was charged with the second degree murder of Linda...
HELSTON: A reminder that you’re innocent until proven guilty
In Canada, you’re innocent until proven guilty whether charged with murder or stealing an ice cream cone. Sure, you might not go to court over a frozen milk product, but the point is, no matter how heinous or mild the crime, the principle remains the same: an allegation is not a conviction. We brought you...
Animal cruelty charges laid against Armstrong horse owner
ARMSTRONG - An Armstrong man is facing criminal charges after animal cruelty investigators seized 16 emaciated horses from his care. Gary Roberts, 69, is charged with causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and failing to provide necessities for an animal. He also faces one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily...
Attempted murder charges change for man accused of shooting police officer
KAMLOOPS - New information has come forward that alleges a man accused of shooting Cpl. Jean-Rene Michaud committed the offense in relation to a criminal organization. In a brief court appearance in Kamloops Provincial Court Thursday morning, Kenneth Michael Knutson, 36, asked to put his bail hearing off for a month while he seeks legal...
Ex-city councillor, sex offender sentencing delayed
PENTICTON — A sentencing date for an ex-city councillor who pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges, will be set on Monday. Gary A. Leaman, who served on Penticton City Council for three years and ran for mayor in 2008, will face sentencing for the two counts of sexual assault he plead guilty to in January....
Former accountant handed jail time for fraud schemes in Vernon
"IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW I FELL FOR HER THE LAST TIME:" JUDGE VERNON - A former accountant who tried to cash a forged cheque grew more sophisticated in her ploys since her last court appearance for fraud, a Vernon provincial court judge said. Abigail Marie Mcelman, 36, was arrested at Vernon’s Venue Financial Centre...
19-year-old added to sex offender registry for drunk actions
PENTICTON - A young man will serve a conditional sentence in the community after he pleaded guilty to sexual assault and unlawfully entering a home. In October 2013, a complaint was made against Justin M. Cantelon, 19, that Cantelon had entered her bedroom window over the weekend and sexually assaulted her. Cantelon had been at...
Keremeos sex offender turns himself in to police
PENTICTON - There is no longer a warrant out for the arrest a Keremeos sex offender who turned himself in to police in Chilliwack, Thursday. Roy Charles O’Donaghey never showed up to his sentencing Wednesday in Penticton Provincial Court, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest. His court case has been scheduled for...
Jail time already served, man walks away on probation
PENTICTON - An Oliver man was sentenced Monday for charges related to a car bomb explosion last August. Eric Olivier Daoust pled guilty to mischief over $5,000 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail plus two years of probation. He already served the jail time so he walked out of Penticton Provincial Court on...
Owner of Dallas Stars found guilty of environmental charges
KAMLOOPS – Tom Gaglardi, owner of the NHL's Dallas Stars, and his company Northland Properties Corporation, were convicted Thursday morning of harmfully altering a fish habitat while constructing their family vacation home. “There was an element of wilfulness and a desire to get the job done and if necessary, seek forgiveness later,” Provincial Court Judge...
Surrey man earns jail time for packing heat in Vernon
VERNON - Packing a loaded gun at a Vernon hotel earned a Lower Mainland man four years of hard time. Jonathan Alexander Brown, 23, from Surrey, was sentenced June 4 in Vernon Provincial Court for an incident dating back to 2012. Judge Robin Smith refused a Charter challenge from Brown’s lawyer on the mandatory three-year...
Murderer scheduled to make official complaint against Crown
PENTICTON — An ex-RCMP officer and convicted murderer wants a Crown prosecutor removed from his case. Appearing in Penticton Provincial court Tuesday, Keith G. Wiens said he will be filing an application to have prosecutor John Swanson removed from the case, citing a conflict of interest.' Swanson didn't prosecute the murder trial; he's prosecuting Wiens...
Two locals to receive Order of B.C.
KAMLOOPS - Two local men will be among the 25 British Columbians to be appointed to the Order of B.C. this year. Roger Barnsley and Hon. Leonard Marchand are among those who will receive the award, given to people who have contributed to the province in extraordinary ways. Barnsley, as president of the University College...