Rodney Saddleman was sentenced in Penticton court today, June 11, 2018 on charges of vehicle theft, weapons possession, resisting arrest, mischief and breach.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON - Showing up for a scheduled court appearance was a smart move, but bringing a back pack full of weapons into the courtroom? Not so much.

That was just one of several criminal incidents for which Rodney James Saddleman received 103 more days in jail on top of the time already served, calculated at 166 days.

He was sentenced in Penticton provincial court today, June 11, after entering guilty pleas to theft of a motor vehicle, mischief, carrying a concealed weapon, breach, possession of a controlled substance and willfully resisting a peace officer stemming from several incidents between October 2017 and April 2018, in Princeton and Penticton.

Saddleman was scheduled to make a court appearance in Princeton, showing up on time on Feb. 15, 2018, wearing a back pack.

A sheriff’s search revealed a pellet gun, multiple knives, pepper spray, tools and cheques belonging to someone else.

A further search revealed a small amount of methamphetamine and some box cutters in his pants pocket.

In a separate incident on Oct. 17, 2017, Saddleman was arrested after trying to steal a pickup truck in Princeton while the owner cut firewood nearby. Hearing his truck start, the man grabbed Saddleman and pulled him from the truck in spite of Saddleman brandishing a hatchet, which the man was able to seize. The truck was scratched during the incident.

Saddleman managed to escape the scene, but was found by police walking east on Highway 3 a short time later. He was arrested and later released.

Saddleman missed reporting for bail on April 23, 2018, and on April 28, police were called to a Lakeside Road address in Penticton where a man was reported to be looking in windows, while in possession of a pick axe handle.

Police arrested Saddleman, who gave a false name. Police were eventually able to confirm the man’s identity, and Saddleman has been in custody ever since.

Crown Prosecutor Andrew Vandersluys asked Judge Ellen Burdett for a sentence totalling 300 days for the incidents, citing Saddleman’s prior criminal record and “brazen” entry into a courtroom with a backpack full of weapons.

Defence lawyer James Pennington said his 33-year-old client came from an aboriginal background where both parents experienced substance abuse and were subject to the residential school system.

He told court Saddleman became addicted to heroin as a teen, but had managed to complete grade 12 and was hard working when his mind was clear. He said his client had decided to turn his life around, coming to Penticton, but met up with the wrong people and breached his probation.

He said his client’s offences have been a disappointment to Saddleman himself, who wants to get into a treatment centre.

Saddleman expressed a desire to quit his life of drugs and finish the last two years of a four-year heavy duty mechanic apprenticeship.

Judge Burdett noted Saddleman’s criminal past, calling it a “mixed record” with a gap between 2006 to 2012. 

She issued a sentence totalling nine months. With time served, Saddleman has 103 days time left to serve, followed by 18 months’ probation.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2018