A second Westlock-area teen has been sentenced to two years of probation for his role in setting a fire that destroyed a house on Main Street and killing several pets inside.
The 16-year-old, who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared in Westlock Provincial Court last Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to arson, uttering threats and two counts of breaching his recognizance.
Prior to sentencing, the youth expressed remorse for his role in the arson and described his willingness to try to make things right with the homeowner. “There are no words to describe how sorry I am,” he said. “I’ll do anything I can to repay him… but I know there’s nothing I can do to repay him.”
Judge Brian Fraser accepted a joint submission from Crown prosecutor Jeff Morrison and defence lawyer Daniel Forbes for probation, but noted while delivering his sentencing decision that because of the “excessive criminal activity,” he could have sent the youth to jail.
“I could impose custody, but I don’t think it’s required under the circumstances,” Fraser said.
He adhered, however, to the requirement in the Youth Criminal Justice Act to impose the least restrictive sanction that’s reasonable.
The two-year probation order includes several conditions, including: attending school, a rehab program or maintaining employment; complete abstention from alcohol and drugs; writing a letter of apology, having no contact with the two other youth involved; doing 100 hours of community service and taking medication as directed.
Morrison told court that the arson charge dates to April 23.
“A residence on 100 Avenue here in Westlock was set ablaze by a young person living there and two friends,” he said.
Police, fire crews and ambulances crews were all dispatched to the scene, and an investigation revealed the fire had been set deliberately, with flammable accelerants used to start several fires in the house simultaneously.
Nobody was injured as a result of the blaze, but several family pets were killed. Morrison emphasized that all three individuals involved were direct participants in the arson.
On June 29, 2013, police were called to the boy’s residence after getting a report he had uttered threats.
“(The youth) was out of control, breaking things, and he told his mother he was going to kill her husband,” Morrison said.
The charges of breaching release conditions, both of which were for breaking his court-ordered curfew, took place on June 6 and Aug. 1.
Morrison said the decision to seek probation as a penalty given medical reports showing the youth has struggled for several years with a brain injury as a result of being struck by a car. Two medical reports were entered as exhibits for sentencing.
“(The joint submission) is highly influenced by the medical reports, which are highly relevant in this case,” he said.
Forbes said the youth had spent 27 days in custody on all his charges, noting that this was in some cases the decision of his mother who thought it best that there be immediate repercussions.
He described the youth as being back on the right track since the most recent breach charge.
Two victim impact statements were submitted as part of the sentencing arguments, and although they were not read out loud in court, Fraser described them in the strongest of terms. “You can’t understand, as I read these victim impact statements, the psychological damage you’ve done to these people,” he said.
