No jail time for theft

Taylor McGuigan given suspended sentence with two years of probation after using knife to rob a store

A woman who used a box cutter to rob a convenience store was given a suspended sentence Monday in provincial court.

Taylor McGuigan appeared before Judge John Douglas in Charlottetown for sentencing after she previously pleaded guilty to the armed robbery.

In giving McGuigan a suspended sentence, Douglas said it was a case involving a unique individual with compelling factors.

The suspended sentence included two years of probation with strict conditions.

Those conditions include wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet if directed and remaining in a residence for the first six months except when she has approval from her probation officer.

On Jan. 20, McGuigan was wearing a ski mask and carrying a box cutter when she robbed a convenience store on Queen Street in Charlottetown.

The clerk recognized McGuigan despite the mask and handed over $700, of which she only took $500.

The court heard McGuigan has been going through addiction treatment and doing well with her programming since her arrest.

Crown attorney Lisa Goulden suggested a sentence in the range of 20-32 months would be appropriate.

Defence lawyer Thane MacEachern suggested a sentence of 90 days in jail served intermittently with probation and, if deemed necessary, electronic monitoring.

McGuigan’s case was adjourned several times to allow her to continue programming and addiction treatment.

MacEachern said McGuigan has been living in Lacey House for four months and planned to live with her parents upon her release.

Charlottetown police Deputy Chief Gary McGuigan is Taylor McGuigan’s father.

MacEachern said there was no indication the robbery had any impact on the victim, who knew Taylor McGuigan.

Douglas said it was a difficult case because of the seriousness of the offence.

He was impressed with the accused’s road to recovery and it was apparent the months since her arrest were productive for her, Douglas said.

Douglas also said it would be a case for a conditional sentence, but that wasn’t an option because a weapon was used in the commission of the offence.

Taylor McGuigan must pay $500 in restitution and is banned from any convenience store in Charlottetown during her probation.

After delivering the sentence, Douglas said he tried to make the terms of probation fairly strict and all encompassing, adding the suspended sentence was not a get out of jail free card.

Taylor McGuigan has to provide a DNA sample for the national databank, and she will be under a weapons prohibition for 10 years.