John Edward Newcome, the owner of Cycle Logic accused of running a vehicle theft ring in West Kelowna, was sentenced today in Kelowna Provincial Court.

(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)

'THE PUBLIC WILL BE AMAZED AT THE OUTCOME OF THIS'

KELOWNA – The owner of Cycle Logic, accused of running a vehicle theft ring in West Kelowna, was sentenced today despite 'stomach-turning' objections by the judge.

Judge Vincent Hogan handed John Edward Newcome, 44, a conditional sentence in Kelowna Provincial Court Thursday that includes nine months of house arrest and another nine months of curfew for possession and trafficking of some $750,000 worth of stolen property.

Newcome was arrested August 2, 2012 at his Peachland home, along with two full-patch members of the Hells Angels. Stolen vehicles, trailers, vehicle ID tag equipment and a small amount of narcotics were also recovered.

Crown prosecutor Colin Forsyth accepted guilty pleas on 14 charges related to various thefts in B.C. and Alberta dating back to 2007. Forsyth also made an agreement with defence lawyer Grant Gray on sentencing. When that happens, judges are typically reluctant to substitute higher sentences.

Judge Hogan appeared confused at the sentence recommended by Crown, saying he would have given a two-year prison sentence had the Crown asked for it.

“I don’t know what to say,” he said before announcing the sentence. “The public will be amazed at the outcome of this.”

Judge Hogan even compared Newcome to “the Taliban falling upon a convoy” and said he was “plundering the community."

“Given the number of items… a jail sentence is appropriate,” Hogan said. He also called the string of thefts “absolutely appalling” before agreeing to the conditional sentence sought by Crown. 

Newcome admitted to being in possession of and selling approximately $750,000 worth of vehicles, motorcycles, RV’s, trailers, boats and ATV’s. Most of the thefts occurred in 2012 but some date back as far as 2007.

“I don’t know why we’re doing this,” Hogan said. “Few (cases) induce my gag reflex such as this.”

In addition to the 18 month conditional sentence, Newcome also received $500 fines for possession of 3.15 grams of cocaine and for failing to properly notify the RCMP when he changed addresses.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca, call (250) 718-0428 or tweet @AdamProskiw.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014