Penticton man gets three months jail for repeated driving offences | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Penticton man gets three months jail for repeated driving offences

Devon Shaun Forsyth was given a suspended sentence for possession of stolen property but will serve three months in jail for his ninth driving while prohibited conviction.

PENTICTON - A Penticton man will serve three months jail time for repeatedly driving while prohibited.

Devon Shaun Forsyth entered guilty pleas in Penticton court yesterday, March 5, to one count of possession of stolen property under $5,000 for having two stolen dirt bikes in his possession and one count of driving while prohibited.

Crown Prosecutor Ann Lerchs told court on Aug. 30, 2016, Summerland RCMP were notified of a stolen dirt bike. A neighbour who witnessed the theft saw a man push the bike down the street where it was given to another man who got out of a red Toyota. He got on the bike and continued moving it down the road.

The man who stole the bike then got into the red Toyota and left.

Police obtained the license number of the vehicle and found it registered to Forsyth. Later in the day they attended his residence and found him in possession of two stolen bikes, including the one police were investigating.

On Nov. 7, 2016, Penticton RCMP discovered Forsyth behind the wheel of a vehicle after recognizing him as a prohibited driver.

Crown Prosecutor Ann Lerchs noted Forsyth’s criminal history did not involve any property offences but did have eight driving while prohibited charges.

She asked the judge to consider a 90-day sentence for driving while prohibited.

A joint submission between Crown and defence lawyer Michael Patterson requested a suspended sentence and a year’s probation for the possession of stolen property offence.

Patterson said his 29-year-old client was a mechanic who had difficulties not driving under a prohibition order because of his profession. He said his client’s other crimes were fueled by a heroin addiction, but he was committed to entering a treatment program.

Patterson said his client had been in jail for a total of 48 days, or 72 days’ enhanced credit. He asked the judge to consider a sentence of time served.

Judge Robin Smith called Forsyth’s driving record “dreadful,” siding with Crown for a sentence of 90 days. He also agreed to both counsel’s joint submission for the possession of stolen property charge.

“You can do better than this,” Smith said.

Forsyth has 18 days remaining in his present sentence. His next court appearance is with the judicial case manager’s office to fix a date for a bail hearing and a trial on other outstanding charges.


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