ATHABASCA – A 17-year-old from Calling Lake will have to pay $200 after failing to comply with two different probation orders earlier this year.
The youth, who can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with a probation order. The youth was under different release conditions, including one that required them to report to their probation officer.
The youth spent 38 days in the Edmonton Young Offender Centre, which Crown prosecutor Matthew Kerr factored into the otherwise small fine.
“Normally, I would be suggesting a higher fine, but to reflect the significant period of time he spent in custody that will essentially be dead time, I’m going to suggest a lower amount,” said Kerr.
Jerred Moore, the youth’s defence counsel, asked for four months for his client to pay the fines. Justice Gordon Putnam waived the victim-fine surcharge, citing the youth’s pre-plea custody stay.
After initially checking in by phone on April 5, the youth failed to attend in person at later appearances — a grandparent called to let the officer know the youth wouldn’t be attending as they were avoiding police contact after a missed curfew check.
The youth was given until May 29 to report, which they failed to do.
“If you continue with the same behaviour, your chances under the youth justice act will come to an end,” said Putnam, who accepted the joint submission. “It will be dealt with in a different manner, and I don’t think you want that.”
The youth’s second offence occurred May 8, after their grandparent called the Athabasca RCMP and advised the youth had left the house, contrary to the conditions of their release order.
“You need to heed the wisdom of your grandfather who seems to be the one who cares the most about you,” said Putnam. “When he’s calling the police to advise a breach, it’s not because he’s trying to be difficult, it’s because he cares.
“I hope you follow his advice in terms of trying to turn this around in the right way for yourself.”
