Skip to content

Former GHB addict involved in series of break-ins gets suspended sentence

Austin Ray McFarlane, 24, broke into R.F. Staples School in late summer 2021
WES - court house IMG-8956

WESTLOCK – A Barrhead man who admitted to being addicted to the street drug GHB and was involved in a series of Westlock-area break-ins last year, including one at R.F. Staples School in late summer 2021, faces conditional and suspended sentences, plus a year of probation.

Appearing in Westlock Provincial Court April 5 via the telephone, Austin Ray McFarlane, 24, pleaded guilty to two counts of break and enter to commit mischief and a single count of mischief under $5,000, while a charge of theft under $5,000 was withdrawn. Judge Rosanna Saccomani agreed to the joint-sentence submission that’ll see McFarlane serve a 12-month suspended sentence, a 120-day conditional sentence and a year of probation. McFarlane has a two-page criminal record that includes related convictions for theft under $5,000, theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property.

“I’m glad to hear that you have some future plans for yourself. But at the end of the day, we want to have peace for the community and if you’re breaking into the school or laundromat, that’s obviously upsetting for the people who are trying to make a living for their families,” said Judge Saccomani. “We want you to clean yourself up so you can have a positive future.”

Defence lawyer Richard Forbes said his client wants to “take the rehabilitative help” that the conditional sentence order and probation will offer him. GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a central nervous system depressant and usually available as a clear liquid — it has no smell, is tasteless, or has a slightly salty or solvent taste that can be easily masked. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says that at a low dose, GHB users usually feel more sociable, less inhibited and lightheaded, while a slightly higher dose intensifies these effects or makes them drowsy and dizzy — an overdose can result in difficulty breathing, a lowered heart rate, convulsions and even death.

“I was heavily addicted and I stopped doing it after overdosing right around my birthday,” said McFarlane, adding that he’s only missing one course to graduate from high school. “I realized that was I going to end up dying if I didn’t stop.”

Crown prosecutor Anthony Estephan told court that on Aug. 10, 2021, Westlock RCMP were called to a break-and-enter in progress at R.F. Staples School. When police arrived, the suspect was long gone, but video surveillance showed an “intoxicated Caucasian male enter the school through a window and wander through several classrooms.” Police were able to identify McFarlane as the culprit as his fingerprints were found on several broken windows and screens.

On Sept. 29, 2021, RCMP were called to the Westlock Laundromat as a few of the machines had been broken into and damaged over the day. Video surveillance showed two men damaging the machines and they eventually tracked down the first suspect, who then identified McFarlane as his accomplice.

Finally, on Oct. 18, 2021, RCMP got a call that two men had broken into the Westrose Manor by breaking a lock on the front door — police reviewed video footage which revealed McFarlane committing the crime. He was interviewed by police Dec. 16, 2021 and admitted to the break and enter.

George Blais, TownandCountryToday.com

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks