Armed robber granted day parole

Derry Ian Bird to live in halfway house after serving time in prison for drug trafficking, robbing a convicted drug dealer

A P.E.I. man who was sentenced to more than nine years in prison for multiple offences that included armed robbery of a drug dealer was recently granted day parole.

Derry Ian Bird was serving a sentence of nine years, eight months and six days in prison for charges that included five counts of drug trafficking, assault with a weapon and armed robbery.

In its decision, the Parole Board of Canada said Bird posed no more than a moderate risk for future reoffending and it was evident the sentence had the deterrent effect the court had hoped it would.

Bird sold drugs to an undercover officer in 2012 and was arrested again later that year for his role in the violent robbery of convicted drug dealer Dean Fairhurst in Emyvale.

He and his accomplice, Chase Roper, assaulted Fairhurst and robbed him at gunpoint.

The parole board report said Bird first tried alcohol when he was 13 and marijuana at 14.

When he committed the offences, Bird was using steroids and painkillers, the report said.

It also said Bird had a significant debt at the time because of his drug addiction and drug trafficking activities.

Bird told the board he robbed Fairhurst because he believed the victim had drugs he could take and because it would improve his own business by stealing from a competitor.

The report said Bird worked toward getting his high school diploma while in prison, he maintained institutional employment and completed certification to be a personal trainer.

With Bird’s release on day parole, he will live in a halfway house and will have to follow several conditions, including that he not possess or use illicit drugs. Bird is banned from associating with anyone who is involved in any form of crime and he is required to work or attend school on a full-time basis.

To ensure any income he has comes from legitimate sources, Bird must provide any financial information his parole supervisor requests.

Bird will also be limited to owning one cellphone.