Preliminary hearing set for accused in Project Runway case

Preliminary hearing dates were confirmed Tuesday for three accused charged following Project Runway, a months-long investigation that netted the core and leader of a high-risk, local, Greater Toronto Area-supplied group known as the Ugly Crew more than a year ago.

Nine warrants were issued – eight in Peterborough and one in Toronto – as 15 people were arrested and charged on Dec. 15, 2016.

City police went on to arrest a total of 21 people and lay 150 charges. Eight firearms, more than $113,000 in cash, a vehicle, 5.6 kilograms of cocaine, 8.1 kg of marijuana, 1 kg of hash, 316 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 149 grams of heroin were seized.

A preliminary hearing – a “trial before a trial” where a juddge decides if a matter should be tried in Superior Court of Justice – was confirmed for Feb. 16, 20 and 26 and March 12, 13 and 14 for Amanda Yule, Adian Nyenhuis and Matthew Kellough-Garrett.

The status hearing was heard Tuesday afternoon by Madam Justice Jennifer Broderick. Nyenhuis was the only accused to appear in court.

A bench warrant issued previously for the arrest of Kellough-Garrett remains in effect. It was issued with discretion, meaning it will be rescinded if he attends his next court date.

City police Insp. Larry Charmley confirmed last month that of the 15 people initially charged in the project, three remained before the courts.

Charges against several of the coaccused were withdrawn and some stayed as they became Crown witnesses against the others, he said.

Each of the accused face six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and two counts each of possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorized possession.

In addition, Nyenhuis and Kellough-Garrett each face two counts of possession of stolen property, while Yule faces one.

Nyenhuis also faces three counts of possession contrary to order and two count of failing to comply with probation, while Kellough-Garrett also faces two counts each of counts of possession contrary to order and possession of a prohibited weapon.