A Yellowknife man who trashed the inside of the downtown Reddi Mart received a 90-day jail sentence for the angry outburst, and a pair of other offences, in territorial court Wednesday.
Michael Abel, 51, pleaded guilty to two counts of mischief and breaching a recognizance in relation to a trio of separate incidents spanning the course of two months.
The guilty pleas lead to Abel’s 100th conviction. Many of the his entries are related to property, mischief and theft.
In May, Yellowknife RCMP were called to the Reddi Mart after an angry Abel – upset staff had placed his photo on the wall of the store – began yelling and throwing food.
Witnesses told police Abel “destroyed the place.”
He was arrested near the store and released on conditions not to attend Reddi Mart. Just three days later, Abel was found to be back in the store causing a disturbance and was arrested for breaching his conditions.
The Crown said Abel’s actions victimized staff at the downtown store twice.
Abel’s second mischief conviction, handed down by Judge Robert Gorin, stemmed from an incident in March, when Abel took the glasses of a woman outside of the women’s shelter.
Gorin called the offence serious and said it could have constituted an assault.
Abel, who has battled addiction root trauma, will serve his total 90-day sentence intermittently, meaning he’ll stay in custody on weekends so he can remain employed throughout the week.
He must pay a $1,500 fine and is barred from attending the downtown Reddi-Mart.
Man sentenced for 32nd theft-related conviction
A Yellowknife man with a lengthy criminal record earned his 32nd theft-related conviction after pleading guilty to walking out of a city store last month – wearing a stolen coat.
Jacob Griep, 34, was convicted by Judge Robert Gorin on one count of theft under $5,000 in NWT territorial court Wednesday.
In July, Griep, who has a total of 80 convictions, entered Mark’s Work Wearhouse, removing the tag of a $169 coat before putting it on and leaving the store.
Griep was arrested a week later.
Crown prosecutor assigned to Griep's case told the court the defendant's dozens of theft convictions show a pattern of conduct that hasn’t been deterred by jail time.
“Little by little,” the prosecutor said, Griep is taking from businesses in the city owned by people who “deserve to be free from this kind of victimization.” While the value of the stolen item wasn’t excessive, taken as a whole, the Crown said, the crime isn’t small.
Gorin agreed. He sentenced Griep to 75 days in jail. With credit for time served in pre-sentence custody, Griep will spend about a month behind bars. He’s barred from going within 10 metres of Mark’s Work Wearhouse.
RCMP offer back to school tips
Northwest Territories RCMP are reminding residents that back to school means buses, pedestrians and bikes will be back on the road, too.
With a new school year around the corner, Mounties are urging students, parents, and drivers to pay attention when on the road. Here are some of the force’s tips for 2018/2019.
Parents and students:
- “Walk on on sidewalks and use marked crosswalks wherever available;
- Remind children that they should never accept a ride or get into a vehicle with a stranger;
- Use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever possible and always wear a helmet; wear reflective clothing to help ensure motorists can see you – this is especially important for us here in the NWT, given our dark winters.”
As for motorists, Mounties encourage the following:
- “Slow down and obey the speed limit in school zones;
- Watch for and pay attention to bikes, crossing guards and school buses;
- Don't text or use your mobile devise while driving.”
““Back to school safety is a priority for the RCMP. With help from parents, students, teachers and motorists, we can make sure Northwest Territories students get to and from school safely this year,” stated a news release from RCMP.