Break-in tools earn man 30 days

In the hands of an electrician, screwdrivers may be considered essential tools. In the hands of crook, they might be better described as break-in tools.

Shawn Eric Hart was caught carrying a couple of screwdrivers when he was stopped by police last month in Taber. He was charged with one count of possession of a breakin instrument and sentenced Tuesday in Lethbridge provincial court to 30 days in jail.

The sentence will run concurrently, however, to two other sentences. Hart also pleaded guilty to one count each of possession of stolen property and breaching previous release conditions stemming from the traffic stop in December.

Police noticed a stolen pickup truck parked in front of a Taber bar about 10 p.m. Dec. 16. When the truck was stopped at an intersection, Hart was the driver. The 34-year-old man had previously been ordered by the court not to be behind the steering wheel of a vehicle unless with the registered owner.

Hart was sentenced to three months in jail on the charge of possession of stolen property and 30 days for breaching court orders, for a total of four months when combined with the sentence for being in possession of break-in tools. Hart was given, however, credit for 45 days spent in pre-disposition custody, and he will serve his sentence on weekends.

Court was told Hart takes care of his elderly mother, and he plans to enrol in an AADAC “introduction to recovery program,” both of which he would be unable to do if he was in jail during the week.

Hart, who will be on probation for a year, was ordered to provide to his probation officer reports proving he is in the recovery program, and he is prohibited from consuming alcohol and drugs.

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