Man caught with two swords fined $700 for contravening court order

BARRHEAD – An Edmonton man caught with a pair of swords in contravention of a court order will pay $700 in fines.

In Barrhead Court of Justice July 25, Kyrane Douglas Chalifoux pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the conditions of a release order and two counts of failing to attend court. A fourth charge of failing to attend court was withdrawn.

Justice Jeffrey B. Champion sentenced Chalifoux, 19, to a $400 fine on the first charge and $150 each on the two other charges.

“I hope you are able to get things together and make some better choices,” Justice Champion told Chalifoux.

Crown prosecutor Anthony Estephan said that on Oct. 30, 2022, Swan Hills RCMP received a call about a suspicious man who appeared cold and had been walking for some time.

Members arrived on scene — the exact location was not specified in court — and located the mal, who identified himself as Kyrane Chalifoux.

Estephan said there were two large swords at his feet, and police noted he was wearing a sheath that both swords fit into.

It was determined that on Sept. 17, 2022, Chalifoux had been released on recognizance not to possess any weapons, including knives.

Following a search, a broken handle of one of the swords was located in the left jacket pocket of the man.

Chalifoux then failed to make two separate docket appearances at the Barrhead Court of Justice on May 9 and June 21.

Estephan noted Chalifoux did not have a criminal record and this offence was on the lower end in terms of seriousness.

Duty counsel Gail Gerhart said Chalifoux resides in the Edmonton region and lives out of men’s shelters, adding that he subsists on picking bottles and dumpster diving. With that in mind, she asked that the victim fine surcharge be waived, which the judge granted.

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