(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
May 23, 2014 - 9:31 AM
KAMLOOPS – A man well known to police and prison cells was sentenced to another year in prison after his conviction today for threatening to stab his prison guard at the Kamloops Regional Correction Centre.
Travis Kelly, 26, has a lengthy criminal record including over 50 convictions, 12 of which are violent offenses. He has five prior convictions for uttering threats.
The Crown said Kelly threatened to stab his prison guard while serving time on other charges. The Crown said he broke a prison meal tray into several pieces and threatened to stab the guard with a piece of it.
Prosecutor Tim Livingston said Kelly has a history of violent behaviour at KRCC and called for a maximum prison sentence of 18 months to set an example to other inmates.
“This behaviour won’t be tolerated,” Livingston said.
Kelly’s lawyer, Michelle Stanford, said Kelly’s 23-hour segregation from other inmates, his struggle with ADHD, depression and a troubled upbringing contributed to his lashing out. She described Kelly’s prison-life as “harsh” — no gym access, no TV or radio and a minimal amount of toilet paper.
When Kelly addressed the court, he said he took full responsibility of his behaviour. He then brought up his previous charges of uttering threats and said his viewpoint was not accurately described in the Crown's report.
Provincial Court Judge Christopher Cleaveley called Kelly's 13-year criminal record "terrible." He said Kelly was a difficult person with little respect for authority and gave him a one-year sentence or time already served while waiting.
He remains in custody waiting for more charges including assault with a weapon and mischief.
To contact a reporter for this story, email gbrothen@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014