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(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

A Manitoba man who skipped bail and ended up in B.C. only to then follow and aggressively harass a complete stranger while he tried to do his shopping in downtown Vernon, will spend another few weeks in prison.

Manitoba native Edward Comber, born 1971, appeared from custody by video at the Vernon courthouse Wednesday, Oct. 5, and pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal harassment.

B.C. Provincial Court Judge Clarke Burnett handed down a 90-day sentence, meaning Comber will have to spend three more weeks in custody.

However, once released it appears the Manitoban authorities have taken no action to see the man returned to the province even though he's currently on bail facing a charge of assault causing bodily harm.

"I take it Manitoba is aware he is here but they don't want him back?" Burnett asked the Crown prosecutor Margaret Cissell.

"They haven't asked for him back," Cissell replied.

The court heard how Comber had been arrested in Vernon in August after he stalked a complete stranger through several stores in the city's downtown.

The Crown told the court the victim was shopping in Shoppers Drug Mart when they realized Comber, who was completely unknown to them, was following them.

Comber asked the victim why he'd followed him from Kamloops. The victim replied that he hadn't and told Comber to leave him alone.

The victim left the store dropped his purchases off at his vehicle and crossed the street and went into another store.

Comber followed and continued to pace outside the store looking through the window.

The victim then made his way to FreshCo where Comber continued to "aggressively" harass him before an employee allowed him to seek refuge in the back.

The whole ordeal went on for around 30 minutes and the victim was left very shaken by the events.

Police arrived and arrested Comber and he has remained in custody since.

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The court heard how Comber had 42 convictions in Manitoba and Alberta and was current on bail, under a curfew, and not supposed to have left Manitoba.

Defence lawyer Melissa Lowe said Comber was high on crystal meth at the time of the harassment and had mistaken the victim for someone he had a "problem with."

Lowe said Comber had come to B.C. for a "visit."

Judge Burnett interrupted.

"He's subject to a pretty strict bail order in Manitoba for a very serious charge and he comes out here for a visit?" the Judge said.

"That's what he's advised me," the defence lawyer replied.

The Crown asked for 90 to 120 days jail, while the defence argued for a sentence of time already served.

Judge Burnett ruled on 90 days jail, meaning Comber will spend another three weeks behind bars.

Comber told the court he planned to go back to Manitoba once he was released.

Judge Burnett said he would take the statement with "a grain of salt."

"I don't think he really wants to go back to Manitoba to face a felony charge, but none the less I have to deal with him on the basis of what he's pled guilty to today and that's criminal harassment," the Judge said.

The Judge also seemed frustrated he was powerless to order Comber to return to Manitoba.

As the warrant addressing Comber's bail breach is only valid in Manitoba, he can't be arrested in B.C. for skipping bail and the Manitoban authorities haven't taken steps to change this.

"If it is your desire to leave the province of B.C. and return to Manitoba to address the outstanding criminal charges as a citizen of this province I certainly hope you chose to do so," the Judge said.

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