Judge reserves decision in break-and-enter case

A Cape Breton man will learn this week whether he’ll stand trial on charges relating to a home invasion last year in Sydney Mines.

After hearing evidence in a preliminary hearing, provincial court Judge Brian Williston has reserved decision until July 20. Williston will rule on whether David Angus Forrest will stand trial on the charges.

Forrest, 36, formerly of North Sydney but who now resides in Caribou Marsh, is charged with break, enter and theft, assault and breaching a court order.

The offences allegedly occurred last July at a home in Sydney Mines.

Two others have already been convicted and sentenced in the case, including Forrest’s brother, Michael Corey, who received an eight-year sentence on charges including assault with a weapon (an axe) and break and enter. A female received a 12-month conditional sentence on charges that included unlawfully being in a dwelling. A third accused remains before the court.

David Forrest is also expected to enter pleas July 20 on three counts of breaching a court order. He was previously sentenced on unrelated theft offences and is now alleged to have breached the conditions of his conditional sentence that allows offenders to serve their time in the community as opposed to going to jail.

Forrest continues to be on remand.