The theft of a television from the Ponoka Sears store in May has forced one Red Deer man to change his life around.
Cody Morrow pleaded guilty to the theft of the TV during Ponoka Court Aug. 29 and has already started paying back the company. Crown prosecutor Stephen Hill asked for strict punishment stating Morrow had a long record.
“Mr. Morrow is a recidivist,” said Hill.
Defense counsellor Rick Wyrozub asked Judge James Glass consider that Morrow had already paid $100 of the $440 TV and intended to pay the remainder that same day.
Wyrozub said issues with drug addictions have caused Morrow problems with breaking the law but he is seeking help from a doctor in Red Deer and is receiving support using a methadone treatment program.
“I think he’s making a real effort to stay away from drugs,” said Wyrozub.
He added the 41-year-old has kept out of trouble for the last 15 months and has not been able to work for some time. Wyrozub asked the judge to consider probation for Morrow.
Judge Glass noted Morrow has been working at cleaning up his life. “It’s clear to this court he’s making some steps, significant steps to his rehabilitation.”
Morrow was given a two-year probation with strict restrictions including keeping the peace, reporting to a probation officer and adhering to a curfew.
“I’m taking a chance on you sir,” stated Judge Glass.
“You fall back in your old ways and you’re going to go to jail for a long time and you won’t be given a second chance,” he added.
Sylvan Lake man pays fines from drug charges
One Sylvan Lake man was sentenced in Ponoka court to pay $1,900 in fines plus a victim surcharge after being in possession of drugs.
Sheldon Brooks pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana, cannabis resin and cocaine during Ponoka court.
Police originally conducted a traffic stop May 17 after seeing Brooks travel at speeds in excess of 161 km/h.
Crown prosecutor Hill explained the events of the night from the police report stating Brooks was stopped at 3:30 a.m. near Blackfalds. A smell of liquor from Brooks and a bag of marijuana in the back seat of the vehicle resulted in his arrest.
He failed in the test with the roadside screening device, but when taken back to the detachment there was not enough blood-alcohol in Brooks to show .08 levels. The police report did say Brooks had a graduated driver’s licence and he was suspended from driving for 30 days and his car towed because of it.
Duty council Dave Paull said Brooks is a pipefitter and uses his car to get to work. He asked for six months to pay the fines, $800 of which stem from speeding. Judge Glass allowed for the six months to pay the fines.
Man pays fines for breach of conditions
Having two Alberta driver’s licences in his possession did not help Mitchell Vanson when police found him asleep in his vehicle over the summer.
Officers found Vanson with the vehicle running and a jerry can in the passenger’s seat, explained Hill to the court. Vanson admitted to officer that he had drugs in his possession and produced a black container with drug paraphernalia consistent with the use of meth amphetamines.
He also had two driver’s licences plus several knives and a hatchet, which he was on conditions not to possess. The 18-year-old man of no fixed address paid a $200 fine and victim surcharge for breaching conditions and $230 for possession of more than one licence.