Threats over cut traps lead to jail time

Joseph Russell Craig Bailey sentenced to 15 days after threatening fisherman who had traps cut

A 48-year-old man who threatened to drown a lobster fisherman who lost 240 traps after someone cut them was sentenced Thursday to 15 days in jail.

Joseph Russell Craig Bailey appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Georgetown where he pleaded guilty to uttering a threat.

Crown attorney Nathan Beck told the court Bailey attended a May 18 meeting the North Lake Harbour Authority organized to see if local fishermen could help the victim after someone cut his traps several days earlier.

The RCMP is still investigating the incident.

Beck said about 50-60 captains attended the meeting, where no accusations were made against Bailey.

The court heard that at some point a suggestion was made that if whoever cut the traps was found then fish buyers should stop purchasing from them.

Beck told the court, at one point, Bailey stood at the meeting and said everyone thought he was responsible for cutting the traps.

Bailey then threatened to drown the victim if he said his name one more time, Beck said.

Those actions made things worse, Beck said, adding that things got more tense at the harbour, and the victim was concerned more damage would be done to his boat.

Beck said Bailey and the victim fished near each other, and there was some animosity between them.

Defence lawyer Karen MacLeod told the court Bailey acknowledged there were ongoing issues with the victim, including fishing too close and on top of each other.

MacLeod said Bailey talked to the victim a few days before the meeting and offered the use of traps and gear to help him get back on the water.

Bailey felt he was being falsely accused and he was told before the meeting that it was going to be a “lynch mob”, MacLeod said.

She added that Bailey made the threat without thinking it through in the heat of the moment.

Before handing down the sentence, Orr said someday fishermen will have to learn to get along with each other.

Bailey will serve his sentence on weekends and will be on probation for one year.

He is banned from having contact with the victim or going within 100 metres of his fishing gear.

Bailey must also maintain an electronic monitoring system on his boat.