Teen answers for role in blaze
Boy pleads guilty to breaking into salvage yard
A Saskatoon teen who helped his friends break into a salvage yard on the city’s west side has been ordered to pay $500 in restitution and spend a year on probation for his part in the incident that resulted in a massive fire that “shattered” the owner’s retirement plans.
The 14-year-old was one of five kids who broke into the compound on April 19. He pleaded guilty to breaking and entering but not to arson. Court heard he was in a car smoking marijuana when his friend started the fire.
The identities of the youths involved are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The 15-year-old who lit the blaze was sentenced last week to 18 months’ probation. The fire cost AJ’s Salvage owner Mike Schroeder at least $400,000 after the uninsured business went up in flames.
Though he didn’t take part in the arson, court heard the 14-year-old was previously arrested for breaking into the same salvage yard. Eleven days after he appeared in court on charges related to the fire, he broke into Mayfair Elementary School, court heard. He also pleaded guilty to mischief for damaging a surveillance camera in February.
“What’s concerning is the pattern of the property offences,” Crown prosecutor John Knox told the judge.
What’s concerning is the pattern of the property offences.
If not for his multiple offences, defence lawyer Cathy Bohachik said the teen may have received the same conditional discharge as the other 14-year-old boy who also broke into the compound but was not involved in setting the fire.
That teen, along with the 15-yearold, participated in a sentencing circle with family members, a fire department spokesperson and Schroeder.
The 14-year-old boy who was sentenced Wednesday in Saskatoon youth court did not participate in the sentencing circle, partly because he had a different version of events, Knox said.
Judge Rosemary Weisgerber accepted a joint submission from the Crown and defence, ordering the boy to pay Schroeder $500 plus one year of probation.
As part of his probation conditions, the teen must write an apology letter to Schroeder and stay away from the other teens who were sentenced.
Bohachik described the boy as polite but “easily led” by his criminally minded friends. She said he has distanced himself from them since the incident.
The best way to show respect for his supportive mother — who spoke in court, urging her son to turn his life around — is to stay out of trouble, Weisgerber said.
Two other boys under 12 were also involved with the salvage yard fire, but are too young to face charges.