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P.E.I. man gets house arrest for thefts

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A P.E.I. man with a prolonged prison file for thefts has prevented jail for his most up-to-date shoplifting offences.

Samuel David Matthews, 30, appeared in provincial court docket in Charlottetown on Jan. 10 and pleaded responsible to a few costs of theft underneath $5,000.

The primary offence occurred on April 6, stated Crown legal professional Jeff MacDonald. On that day, Matthews was at Canadian Tire in Charlottetown and stole a torch priced at $49.99. He was confronted by a loss prevention officer and denied the theft. The torch was hid from the loss prevention officer’s view. Matthews left the shop and rode away on a bicycle. Video surveillance footage from inside the shop was reviewed and confirmed Matthews committing the theft, stated MacDonald.

Two days later, on April 8, Matthews was at Canadian Tire in Summerside, the place he purchased bolt cutters and left the shop. He then re-entered the shop with the bolt cutters and tried to chop open a metal cage to steal an merchandise. As an alternative, he stole a backpack priced at $19.99 and left the shop, stated MacDonald.

Then on Might 9, Matthews was at Staples in Charlottetown. He took a protected off a shelf and put it in a purchasing cart. Matthews then “made a run for it” out the entrance door of the enterprise. He positioned the protected within the backseat in a motorcar parked close by and drove away with one other individual. The protected was valued at $349.99, stated MacDonald.

Matthews’ prison file contains 22 prior convictions for theft underneath $5,000 offences. MacDonald famous that Matthews’ prison offences are usually motivated by a drug dependancy.
MacDonald beneficial a step-up sentence in comparison with Matthews’ earlier jail phrases comprised of 45 days every for the 2 Canadian Tire thefts and 60 days for the protected theft from Staples totalling 150 days, or 5 months, in custody.

Authorized-aid lawyer Justin Milne informed the court docket that Matthews has the assist of his mother and father and has secured future employment with a development firm. As nicely, Matthews just lately turned a father, which is a motivating issue for him to alter, and has just lately accomplished some substance abuse packages. Matthews additionally says that he has been sober for a time frame, stated Milne.

After listening to Milne’s submissions and advice for a 90-day intermittent or weekend sentence, Chief Decide Jeff Lantz urged {that a} conditional sentence is perhaps applicable.  
Matthews then spoke in court docket and apologized for the thefts. He additionally stated {that a} weekend or conditional sentence would permit him to proceed on the trail he is on to get higher for his household.
“In the event you give me this opportunity, you will not see me on this courtroom any extra or at Sleepy Hole (the provincial jail),” stated Matthews.

Lantz stated it will be straightforward to impose the sentence beneficial by the Crown. However given the circumstances and the steps Matthews has taken, Lantz imposed a six-month conditional sentence (or home arrest) and 18 months of probation. Throughout the conditional sentence and probation interval, Matthews is just not allowed at any of the companies the place the thefts occurred.
Matthews was additionally ordered to pay $420 in restitution for the gadgets he stole. Matthews introduced that quantity in money with him to court docket and paid the clerk.

Even so, it was famous that since Matthews owes the court docket $12,578 for previous offences and restitution orders. The $420 he paid on Jan. 10 will likely be credited to the earliest offences on his prison file and to not the current offences dedicated at Canadian Tire and Staples.
 



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