(GLYNN BROTHEN / iNFOnews.ca)
June 02, 2016 - 1:30 PM
KAMLOOPS - A man with 85 convictions under his belt has pleaded guilty to break and enter and has been sentenced to six months behind bars.
Shaen Gallagher, 39, appeared in Kamloops court this morning, June 2, where Crown lawyer Monica Fras explained how Gallagher managed to break into a pharmacy with a can opener.
On Jan. 11, just after midnight, Gallagher broke through the window of Pratt's Pharmacy, and removed the frame with a can opener. He entered the building, switched off the breakers and walked through.
Police arrived at the pharmacy and found Gallagher, who had left a bag of stolen medications on the counter. Gallagher was arrested on scene.
Between 1991 and 2016, Gallagher has been convicted 85 times, 20 of those for break and enter. He also has a number of drug and alcohol related breaches, and Fras believes Gallagher may have a substance abuse problem.
Defence counsel Jay Michi doesn't disagree with that, acknowledging Gallagher's lengthy record, presented as an exhibit in court.
"He's embarrassed that he did this," Michi said. "He had fallen off the wagon quite hard."
Michi told Judge Stephen Harrison in his submission that his client's drug problems started in his early teens, first using pot and cocaine. He then moved on to heroin, and most recently methamphetamine.
When Harrison asked Gallagher if he had anything to say for himself, Gallagher said he hopes he can stay sober, eventually get his job back, and regularly attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Harrison sentenced Gallagher to six months in prison but with credit for time served, he will be behind bars for the next 52 days.
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