Charlottetown man faces prison sentence for thefts

The Crown is calling for a sentence of between three and four years federal time for a Charlottetown man who stole hundreds of dollars worth of meat, seafood and other items from city area stores. Crown Counsel Valerie Moore called for the federal sentence in the case of 58year- old Terrence Stanford MacDonald. MacDonald, a confessed heroin addict with a lengthy criminal record, has pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft and five counts of failing to attend court. MacDonald committed thefts at two different Atlantic Superstores, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, Roots, the Circle K and K C Clothing, hitting some stores more than once. He went to one store twice on the same day. MacDonald stole steaks, lobster, scallops, chicken, bacon, cheese and frozen burger patties from the food stores he hit. He also stole several items of clothing and a coffeemaker. Moore described MacDonald as a recidivist offender who victimized numerous merchants. And she stressed that MacDonald did not steal highend meats and seafood for himself but to resell so he could purchase drugs. Moore said MacDonald’s thefts go well beyond shoplifting. “They support the drug trade,” Moore said. “These thefts perpetuate the cycle of drug use and drug sales.” The accused has multiple theft-related convictions, including convictions for robbery, armed robbery and break, enter and theft. He also has prior convictions for drug trafficking. Defence counsel Thane MacEachern said MacDonald does have a lengthy record and expects to receive a lengthy jail sentence. But he suggested the sentence proposed by the Crown is excessive. MacEachern said a sentence in the range of 18 months would be more appropriate. That sentence would also allow MacDonald to serve his time in a provincial correctional centre. Chief Provincial Court Judge John Douglas has taken the case under advisement, saying he has to ponder the question of whether MacDonald should receive a federal or a provincial sentence.