A brawl outside Hackers Lounge in September has resulted in a $750 fine for a Stettler-area man.
Gregory Lee Callan, 42, appeared in Alberta Provincial Court in Stettler on Thursday, Dec. 8 on charges of cause disturbance, to which he pleaded guilty.
The Court heard that on Sept. 24, Callan was verbally abusive with others inside the lounge, punching several before heading outside. There, he was in a fight with another person, and police were called.
Callan told the judge he was sorry for his actions, but Judge J.D. Holmes warned him that he "needs to deal with his drinking issue, otherwise it will happen again."
As Callan had a previous record for similar crimes, both the Crown and counsel suggested a fine of $750, plus victim surcharge, to which the judge agreed.
Shoplifter complicates charges by fleeing policeDaniel John Harkness pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000 and operating a motor vehicle while disqualified after a Nov. 16 incident at Walmart in Stettler.
The Court heard that Harkness, 36, stole flashlights and fuses from the store around 7:30 p.m. He then fled in a truck, but staff were able to get the licence plate and phoned police. Harkness appeared via CCTV as he was in custody at the Red Deer Remand Centre.
Police located the truck and initiated a traffic stop. There, Harkness was found to be in a stolen vehicle, and without a licence.
The Manitoba man is currently an unemployed cook, and apologized for his past actions.
"I am going to go to substance abuse counselling," he told the judge.
Harkness had a previous criminal record involving flight from police, the court was advised. He was sentenced to 12 days time served for operating while disqualified, but was handed another 12 months of disqualified driving to add to his previous disqualification. He was also fined $300 plus victim surcharge for the theft, but instead opted to serve the four days in jail that would be given to him if he did not pay the fine.
Counterfeit money user's luck runs outAshley Jean Loucks from Calgary appeared in court to answer to charges of using counterfeit money relating to a shopping spree over several days in Stettler earlier this year.
Purchases were made at Mark's Work Warehouse and Jude's Liquor Store, and she attempted to make change at the Royal Hotel, using counterfeit $100 US bills.
The court heard that this was not the first time Loucks had shopped using counterfeit money, as she has nine related convictions from earlier this year that were resolved in Calgary in November.
Loucks' lawyer wanted to move the court proceedings to Calgary, but was denied after protest from the Crown.
The court was advised that Loucks, 23, has a Grade 10 education, and suffered from childhood abuse. She also has mental health issues, her counsel said. All of this is exacerbated by an addiction to fentanyl, which often has her in a "drug haze."
Given that Loucks will be in jail four four months for the Calgary charges, the judge issued an 18-month suspended sentence for the Stettler charges after her guilty plea. If Loucks stays out of trouble, she will not have to serve the sentence – but if she is arrested, she may in fact end up in custody on the Stettler matters.