One of three men charged in connection with a theft on a Tees-area farm last spring have been sentenced.
Nick Dewald, 22, of Alix, was fined $400 in Stettler Provincial Court on Nov. 26 after pleading guilty to a charge of theft under $5,000, as one of three men charged in the a high-profile incident in which farmer Brian Knight was charged with several counts after he shot at three men stealing from his farm in the evening of March 25 and 26.
“If this were a simple theft such as shoplifting, I would impose a low fine but this is a little more calculated,” said Judge Jim Mitchell.
“I view this as more serious.”
The accused regretted his actions.
“I’m sorry that I did this,” said Dewald.
Two other area men are set to stand trial this month for stealing a truck and a quad in the incident.
Harold T. Groening, 31, of Mirror was scheduled to stand trial on Dec. 8 in Stettler Provincial Court to face charges of theft under $5,000, theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property.
After neither Groening nor his lawyer appeared in court, Judge Mitchell issued a warrant for the arrest of the accused.
Several witnesses, including Knight appeared as scheduled to take the stand.
Kyle Rosenthal, 23, is scheduled to appear in Stettler Provincial Court for trial on Dec. 21 to face the same charges.
Tees-area farmer Brian Russell Knight, 38, is scheduled to defend himself in court next spring on charges of shooting at suspects.
A preliminary enquiry scheduled for Nov. 3 was postponed to June 17, 2010 in Stettler Provincial Court.
For the incident on March 25 and 26, 2009, Knight faces charges of unlawful use of a firearm, pointing a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon, assault with a weapon, criminal negligence causing injury, dangerous driving and unauthorized possession of a firearm.