Discharge in million-dollar NRP vandalism case

A man who destroyed $1.1 million in police equipment after he discharged a fire extinguisher at a Niagara Falls hotel has been granted a conditional discharge.

Devon Solley, 25, pleaded guilty last month in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to a charge of break and enter and commit mischief over $5,000. He returned to court last week for sentencing.

A conditional discharge means Solley won’t have a criminal record if he complies with conditions of a two-year probation term and performs 100 hours of community service.

On Feb. 26, court was told, Solley was at a Fallsview Boulevard hotel with several friends then he made his way to the 52nd floor of the building where Niagara Regional Police housed communication equipment. Once inside, he discharged a fire extinguisher.

The damage was so severe the equipment could not be restored to working condition.

The defendant, a resident of Hamilton who had no criminal record, was represented by defence lawyer Michael DelGobbo.

According to a regional corporate services committee report from April, Niagara Region had insurance to cover the loss. However, it did have to pay a $1-million deductible.

The approved 2017 budget for claims administration was $1.2 million.