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April 28, 2017 - 4:08 PM
PENTICTON - An Oliver man who took it upon himself to collect compensation for a business deal that went wrong was sentenced to a total of 32 months and 21 days in jail in Penticton court this afternoon.
Judge Meg Shaw sentenced Bryce Michael Williamson today, April 28, for his part in a residential break and enter that included an assault. The sentence also covered several other charges including uttering threats, breach, possession of stolen property, assault with a weapon, using a forged document, obstruction of a peace officer and driving while suspended.
On Dec. 26, 2015, Williamson broke into the home of his grandfather’s business partner after their legal marijuana grow operation failed. The partner was on holidays when Williamson was caught ransacking the place by the business partner's father.
Williamson knocked the man to the floor and threatened him with a knife, but the man managed to get away and call police. Williamson was arrested and later released on bail with conditions.
Police later caught Williamson trying to cash cheques with signatures that didn’t match at the Rutland Money Mart on Jan. 5, 2016. He was released on a promise to appear in court, but then failed to report to his bail supervisor.
Police then caught him at a traffic stop near Kelowna on May 27, 2016. He was driving while prohibited. When asked to identify himself, Williamson gave police a false name.
Crown prosecutor Ann Lerechs was looking for a sentence of four years, five months and 21 days in jail for the crimes, while defence lawyer James Pennington asked for a two year suspended sentence in addition to time served.
In passing sentence, Judge Shaw noted Williamson’s support from family members and the fact he would have a residence to stay in once out of jail.
She called Williamson’s pre-sentence report “generally positive,” also commenting on Williamson’s past drug use which included marijuana, cocaine, methamphetmaine and fentanyl.
Judge Shaw also expressed the view Williamson hadn’t fully dealt with his anger towards his grandfather’s former business partner, adding his expressions of remorse did not adequately extend to including empathy for his victims.
She called it a “tragic situation,” but said Williamson’s rehabilitation prospects were high.
The judge handed Williamson a total of 991 days jail, for which he has already served 556 days, with enhanced credit, leaving 485 days remaining.
He also faces a 10-year firearm ban.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017