Sentencing delayed due to psych assessment

MAN, GUILTY OF NUMEROUS CHARGES, BACK IN COURT NOV. 28

Sentencing for a Lethbridge man who stole his mother’s credit card while visiting her in the hospital Christmas Eve has been adjourned to give doctors more time to complete a psychological assessment.

The assessment for Kazmier Victor Banbur was to be completed by Monday when lawyers met in Lethbridge provincial court to discuss the results and prepare for sentencing. However, court was told doctors needed a 60-day extension to complete the assessment and subsequent report, and the matter was adjourned to Nov. 28.

Banbur pleaded guilty in June to one count of trafficking a credit card, three counts of mischief and numerous counts of trespassing at night, housebreaking to commit theft, housebreaking to commit an indictable offence, attempted housebreaking and being disguised while committing an indictable offence.

According to an agreed statement of facts submitted to court, Banbur stole his mother’s credit card and used it to obtain cash and cigarettes totalling $2,255. The value of items and cash Banbur stole during all of the break-ins totalled nearly $18,000 CAD and nearly $1,000 US, and he caused more than $14,000 in damage.

In many of the residential break-ins, Banbur gained access by breaking through a back door or basement window. An object he found nearby was often used to break the glass, and once inside Banbur targeted jewelry and money, while ignoring electronics. Many residences in the same area were broken into on the same dates, and most of the offences occurred near Banbur‘s own northside home.

Police arrested Banbur Jan. 23, and during an interview he admitted nearly all of the offences with which he is charged. He admitted he committed the offences to fuel a drug addiction; he traded some of the jewelry he stole for drugs, and sold other jewelry so he could buy drugs and cigarettes.

Police searched his home in the 1400 block of 20 Street North and seized clothing he was wearing when seen on video surveillance, and boots with a tread pattern matching tracks left in the snow at residences where he committed some of the offences.

During one of the break-ins to a home, Banbur stole $1,700 from the owner’s bedroom while she slept.

Although Banbur pleaded guilty to the offences, sentencing was adjourned to allow time for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and psychological risk assessment. The PSR, which is prepared by probation, is completed, and the assessment is expected to be done by the next hearing in November.

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