Addiction leads to jail time

Devon MacLean pleaded guilty to two counts of causing damage to property and breaching an undertaking in provincial court recently.

In his pre-sentence report, MacLean admitted that his ongoing addictions issues have led him to appear once again before the court.

“If he was clean and straight, he reported he would not be in trouble,” read Chief Judge Nancy Orr during sentencing.

“It appears his criminal behaviour is motivated by substance abuse, impulsiveness, negative associations and poor decision-making skills. If he chooses not to address these issues he runs the high risk of re-offending.”

The incidents, which led MacLean to appear before the court, date back to earlier last year.

On Aug. 1, 2016, a victim reported one of the windows on his mini home had been smashed. When an RCMP officer arrived a rock was found on the windowsill, footprint impressions were on the kitchen floor and a fingerprint was on a piece of glass. It was MacLean’s fingerprint on the glass. The mini home was vacant.

MacLean was then placed on an undertaking but breached it on Dec. 24, 2016, at the provincial addictions centre after he stuck something in an electrical outlet in a bathroom.

A staff member noticed MacLean had placed towels under the door, which he refused to open. The staff member had to open the door and noticed the electrical outlet was charred.

He was sentenced to 110 days in jail but was credited for time spent in custody before sentencing and was left to serve 34 days.