A Bashaw man — who blacked out from drinking and doesn’t remember his actions — was given a 12-month suspended sentence for smashing a picture window with a patio chair to enter a residence.
Robert Wocknitz, 22, was charged with the indictable offence of break and enter on Aug. 9 in Bashaw.
“He went in and ate chicken and cheese,” said Crown prosecutor Murray MacPherson, adding that the defendant has no recollection of that or going to sleep there.
“At 6 a.m., he woke up and no one else was there,” said MacPherson.
Wocknitz was asked to leave a house party two residences down after having 20 beer and a couple of shots of liquor. He left and went to the wrong residence, MacPherson said.
Defence counsel told the court that the incident has had “a real sobering effect” on Wocknitz and that he has been going to Alcoholics Anonymous since then.
Speaking on his own behalf, Wocknitz expressed regret for his actions and said, “I know I messed up.”
Judge J. Hunt said he believed Wocknitz’s expressions of remorse were “genuine” in a letter he wrote to the court, that he has taken full responsibility for his actions, and added that alcohol is no excuse.
“You have a serious drinking problem,” said Judge Hunt.
Rehab ‘benefits society’
A Bashaw man who pleaded guilty to assault got an 18-month conditional sentence.
“Rehabilitation will be of more benefit to society,” said Judge J. Hunt in Stettler provincial court Thursday.
Crown prosecutor Murray MacPherson told the court that Douglas Neil Humphrey punched his partner in the face two to three times during a dispute and she ended up with bruises on her arm after trying to block his punches.
MacPherson said it was in the public’s interest to give Humphrey a conditional discharge because he pleaded guilty early, has taken responsibility for his actions, and sought counseling for domestic related issues.
Defence lawyer Richard Wyrozub said his client has gone to anger management and is dealing with his addiction problems.
He said Humphreys had outside stressors, which he has since dealt with, that contributed to the assault, adding that he was remorseful.
Humphrey himself told the court “there’s no excuse” for his actions. “It never should have happened.”
reporter1@stettlerindependent.com