H.P. court docket
Oct. 28, 2024
Justice S.P. Hinkley
A hunting guide was fined $3,800 after pleading guilty to an Alberta Fish and Wildlife violation in the McLennan region.
Darren Charles Dixon pleaded guilty in High Prairie Court of Justice Oct. 28 to failing to immediately affix a tag on an animal while hunting.
Court heard Fish and Wildlife officers were conducting patrols in the Kimiwan Lake area on Oct. 2 when they found a bull moose carcass at a hunting camp, Crown prosecutor Nuha Abunada told court.
Dixon is a hunting guide, the Crown added.
Justice S.P. Hinkley noted the fine is standard.
“That’s the law,” Justice Hinkley told Dixon.
Dixon was also prohibited from hunting for one year and was ordered to pay the fine by May 22, 2025.
Daniel Felix Ward 45, of Driftpile, was handed a global sentence of 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to three counts of failing to comply with release conditions.
Court heard Ward was on condition to have no contact with his mother, which he breached once, and not to be at her residence, which he breached twice, Crown prosecutor Nuha Abunada told court.
Ward was given credit for 27 days served in the Peace River Correctional Centre.
Justice S.P. Hinkley agreed with a joint submission for sentencing from the Crown and Ward’s lawyer, Orin Tomlinson.
Justice Hinkley warned Ward to comply with his release conditions.
“You’re not to be around your mother,” he ordered.
Ward committed to comply.
“It’s not going to happen again, my apologies,” Ward told court.
Christopher James Drummond, of Faust, was sentenced to 10 days in jail after pleading guilty to resisting a peace officer.
He was given credit for time served in the Peace River Correctional Centre and released.
The charge arose when Drummond was wearing a black jacket and wandering along a major highway at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 750 on Oct. 19 at 11:18 p.m, Crown prosecutor Nuha Abunada told court.
“He was located in a ditch,” the Crown added.
When officers approached him, he showed signs of being intoxicated. He also smelled of alcohol, the Crown submitted.
As officers attempted to handcuff him, Drummond fought and refused to put his hands behind his back.
Justice S.P. Hinkley appreciated Drummond’s early guilty plea.
“You’re taking responsibility, that’s the right thing to do,” Justice Hinkley noted.
Drummond had been sober for 11 months before the incident, said his lawyer, Derek Renzini.
“He had a relapse,” he noted.
Justice Hinkley reminded Ward his situation could have been fatal, such as one that occurred one year ago west of High Prairie. A 60-year-old man of no fixed address was struck by a vehicle and killed Oct. 15, 2023 while walking on Highway 2 at Range Rd. 180.
Shanay Raylaine Bigstone was sentenced to one day after pleading guilty to breach of probation.
Court heard Bigstone failed to report to her probation officer as directed, Crown prosecutor Nuha Abunada told court.
“You have to report to your probation officer,” Justice S.P. Hinkley said.
Bigstone was given credit for her appearance and guilty plea in court and released.
Therese Nicole Yacyshyn was fined $200, inclusive of a victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to failing to report an accident.
Justice S.P. Hinkley ordered Yacyshyn to pay the fine by Dec. 2.