SEAN CHASE

sean.chase@sunmedia.ca

The Ontario Court of Justice, Criminal Division convened in Pembroke on Tuesday, May 1. Presiding were Justice Robert Selkirk and Justice Grant Radley-Walters. Representing the Crown attorney's office was Terri James, Jason Nicol and federal Crown Tim McCann.

George Polychronidis, 43, of Pembroke, pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000, breaching conditions of his recognizance, and possession for the purposes of trafficking. On Sept. 4, 2011, employees at an area boxstore observed the accused and two females enter the premises and visit several departments. They witnessed the accused placing several items in the purse of one of the females. She was subsequently stopped by a loss prevention officer when she went to the washroom. Police were then called to investigate the incident.

On Sept. 15, city police arrived at Mr. Polychronidis' residence on McAllister Street. They executed a search warrant under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Entering the dwelling, they found the accused asleep on a couch. Their search uncovered 31 pills, later identified as 30 milligram OxyContin tablets. Officers also seized 42 Methamphetamine pills from a tin on the coffee table. They also came across 10 pages of handwritten material that appeared to be a debt list, weight scales and packaging. The accused was arrested and later released on bail.

He was to follow certain bail conditions including observing a curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. On the night of March 3, 2012, he called his surety to say he was on his way home. When he didn't arrive, his surety grew worried and notified police. The next day, officers went to an apartment on Cecilia Street. They informed the apartment tenant that they were looking for Mr. Polychronidis. The tenant left for a few minutes before officers proceeded to enter the dwelling. They found the accused hiding in a bedroom. They observed some drug-related items in the room and were concerned that the accused had been taking a substance.

Justice Selkirk sentenced Mr. Polychronidis to 90 days in jail for the theft charge and 90 days in jail for the breach charge. He also received a further six months in jail on the possession for the purposes of trafficking charge but was granted 300 days pre-sentence custody credit. Justice Selkirk imposed one year's probation, a 10-year weapons prohibition and ordered a DNA sample be provided.

Kyle Keon, 23, pleaded guilty to perjury. The accused had been initially arrested and charged for assault and breaching conditions of his probation. During a bail hearing on April 30, 2012, Mr. Keon made a false statement while on the witness stand during cross-examination by Crown attorney Jason Nicol.

While Justice Selkirk agreed that the accused had attempted to mislead the court and that perjury is a serious matter, he concluded the false statement was not major enough to disqualify Mr. Keon from a conditional sentence.

Justice Selkirk imposed a six-month conditional sentence, with the first four months being house arrest.

John Howard, 18, of Petawawa, pleaded guilty to breaching conditions of his probation. On March 6, 2012, the accused was found guilty of possession of a substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. He received a conditional discharge and nine months probation. He later met with his probation officer who warned him to give notice if he changed his place of residence. Police learned that he had left his home on March 30 but did not notify authorities, who didn't know where he was. A warrant for his arrest was subsequently issued.

Justice Selkirk suspended sentencing and granted 14 days pre-sentence custody credit.

Brennan Boyd, 27, of Ottawa, pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle while his blood alcohol level was over .08 milligrams. On the night of March 22, 2012, the accused pulled into a fast food restaurant on Petawawa Boulevard driving a Dodge Calibre. An attendant at the window suspected he was impaired and notified police. He failed the roadside screening device. His blood alcohol levels later showed 160 and 150 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Justice Radley-Walters imposed a $1,500 fine and 12 months probation.

Sean Chase is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist