Man guilty of theft ordered to stick with conditions

A Pictou judge told a 38-year-old man in provincial court for sentencing on count of theft and breach of probation that it’s not the sentence of the court that places his job in jeopardy. “It’s the choices that you make,” Judge Del Atwood told Robert Douglas Lochead, who was given a nine-month conditional sentence for theft and failing to comply with a condition of a probation order to make restitution in the amount of $2,750. Defence lawyer Andrew O’Blenis told the court Lochead was relying on the child tax benefit to buy Christmas presents for his family, but found out he wasn’t going to receive it, making the decision to use other funds and leaving him to come up short for other obligations. Between Dec. 11 and 16, 2016, he stole items from Atlantic Superstore, totalling $565.60. O’Blenis noted Lochead has been employed since April and is the primary income earner for his family, stating that a period of incarceration may hurt them. He also stated Lochead doesn’t have the ability to pay a fine. Atwood, who noted Lochead’s prior record includes counts of theft, said he believes imprisonment is required and that a community-based sentence is an effective deterrent. His conditions include six months of confinement to his Stellarton property, with a number of exceptions including for employment. He has been ordered to attend counselling and stay away from Superstore, along with other conditions. He has been also been ordered to pay the restitution he was previously instructed to pay, as well as $565.60 to Superstore. He also has $30 in fines and small victim surcharges to pay. Atwood stated the importance of Lochead sticking to the conditions. “The court is going to count on you to do the right thing.”