Man looking for fresh start gets jail time

A Nova Scotia man who moved to P.E.I. to get a fresh start was sentenced Monday to 45 days in jail for breaching his probation and failing to attend court.

Craig Joseph Kelly, 26, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown where he pleaded guilty to the two offences.

The court heard that on May 3 the police received a call from someone who said they were concerned about Kelly’s well being after he was involved in a fist fight at a party and then left.

The police later found Kelly lying near the side of the road.

He was on probation at the time with a condition not to be intoxicated in a public place.

Kelly later missed a court appearance on June 19.

Defence lawyer Yolande Murphy said Kelly moved to P.E.I. from Nova Scotia because he wanted a fresh start and to work on his sobriety.

Kelly has also been diagnosed with PTSD, Murphy said.

Orr gave Kelly credit of 15 days for time already served, leaving him 30 days on his sentence.

He must also pay $300 in victim surcharges.