Lawyer argues client guilty of firearms charges has turned his life around

A man who pleaded guilty to possessing loaded firearms in Vancouver in 2014 has completely turned his life around and should be given a two-year conditional sentence, his lawyer argued in B.C. Supreme Court on Friday.

Terence LaLiberte said Alexander Bell has ditched his former negative associates, moved away from Vancouver and is now caring for his ailing girlfriend.

And LaLiberte pointed to a reference letter his client received from a Vancouver police constable who said Bell appears to have changed his path since his April 2014 arrest.

That officer was one of two who conducted dozens of checks on Bell while he was out on bail and always found him to be in compliance.

Last November, Bell pleaded guilty to four firearms-related counts in connection with an incident in downtown Vancouver on April 5, 2014.

Two officers pulled over his black Cadillac at the corner of Thurlow and West Hastings streets.

Suspecting he was on drugs, they asked him to get out of the vehicle.

One officer noticed Bell had black straps on his shoulder, and found a holster containing two loaded 9-mm semi-automatic handguns.

Police also found a gym bag in the back seat with a loaded sawed-off shotgun and a rifle, as well as more than $32,000 in cash.

LaLiberte said his client was a “gun nut” who was only transporting them to a location where he could store them safely. Bell claimed he had purchased the guns on the street.

“He has turned his life around. He seems to have a whole different mental outlook,” LaLiberte told Justice Heather Holmes.

Bell also read an apology to the court and begged Holmes to give him one more chance by allowing him to be released on conditions.

“It was the dumbest thing I could have done and I regret my decision every day,” he said.

“After I was released on bail, I realized I had to make some changes in my life.”

He now works, cares for his partner, and is involved in the skydiving community, hoping to become an instructor.

“I have worked very hard for two and a half years to become a productive member of society,” he said. “I am asking you to please give me one chance.”

Holmes said she would rule on Bell’s sentence later this month.

Earlier, Crown prosecutor Michelle Merry argued that a 45-month sentence would be appropriate for Bell, who is now 49.