Judge goes easy on accused for vandalizing property of estranged husband’s home

Atrial set for Wednesday started later than scheduled after the accused was arrested and held in custody that same morning for driving while prohibited.

Martina Rejeanne Teasdale, 31, was charged with breaking and entering but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of mischief by damaging or destroying property after vandalizing her estranged husband’s home in Cawston in 2017.

The pair had been married for 13 years and had three children together, but split in December of 2016.

Teasdale received a conditional sentence of 18 months’ probation.

“(Teasdale) tells me the most important thing in her life is her children and she desperately misses them,” her lawyer, Norm Yates, told court.

In August 2017, Teasdale lost access to seeing her children.

Four days later, on Aug. 27, Jason Teasdale, who won custody of the children, returned to his residence in Cawston and found a significant amount of damage throughout the home, court heard.

The damage to his television, clothes and leather couch appeared to be done with a knife, and the word “loser” was scratched into the wall. Court further heard no damage was done to the children’s room other than a window screen that was cut out.

Crown counsel told court an RCMP investigation confirmed through forensic testing it was Martina Teasdale who had caused the damage.

Court further heard that Jason Teasdale and Martina Teasdale split after Jason could no longer support Martina’s substance abuse that included heroin and fentanyl.

Crown counsel told court Jason “thinks it was the addiction issues that really were responsible for what took place on that night,” and that “ultimately what he would like to see is that (Martina) get the support and stability that she needs in order to help her deal with the underlying addictions and allow her to continue to be a good mom.”

Court also heard that what took place on the night of Aug. 27 with the damage caused to the home traumatized Jason and the three children to the point that they had to move to a new residence.

“The original charge is a very serious matter,” said Judge Jane Cartwright, who warned Teasdale that a harsher penalty could have possibly been an outcome for her that day.

In the sentencing, Cartwright took into consideration the fact Teasdale did not have a criminal record.

“I don’t think Mrs. Teasdale needs a criminal record with respect to this,” said Cartwright, adding a conditional discharge would allow her to serve her required 18 months of probation before being able to move on with her life.