A Stettler County man charged with breaching his conditions of release is just working and trying to stay away from drugs and the criminal sub-culture said Red Deer defence lawyer Jason Snider.
Victor Charles Foley appeared in Stettler provincial court Aug. 23 facing four charges of breaching his conditions.
“He’s working as a farm hand and attempting to stay away from the criminal subculture,” said Snider. “He is healthier than I’ve seen him in several years.”
Snider told the court that Foley only breached his conditions because he has no control over what time he is able to get home from work.
“He is working at a farm and was working late hours and relying on others to get back and forth.
“The cows got out and they had to stop and deal with the cows.”
Snider asked the court to give Foley a fine only.
Foley stood quietly in the prisoner’s box with his hands clasped behind him.
Crown prosecutor Blair Brandon told the court that Foley has “a terrible history before the courts,” adding “these breaches are hard for the crown to say they are minor.”
Brandon said, however, that the breaches weren’t accompanied by any criminal offence.
Judge W. A. Skinner told Foley that, “It looks like you’re out working, making money when you should have been home.”
Judge Skinner fined Foley $800 for two breaches in August and the other two charges of breach of conditions were withdrawn by the crown.
Foley’s bail was set at $3,000.