H.P. court docket
Jan. 13, 2025
Justice G.W. Paul
A Driftpile man who was driving while impaired and later threatened a couple was sent to prison and prohibited from driving for more than one year.
Joseph Tyler Belcourt appeared in High Prairie Court of Justice court for sentencing. He had already entered guilty pleas to uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and impaired driving.
Belcourt was sent to prison for 15 days on the uttering threats charge and issued a $200 victim fine surcharge with time to a granted to May 31. He was given five days credit for time already spent in custody.
On the impaired charge, Belcourt was fined $1,000 plus a $300 victim fine surcharge with time to pay granted to June 30. He was also banned from driving for two years.
Justice G.W. Paul accepted a joint submission for sentencing from Belcourt’s lawyer, Kevin Gubbins, and Crown prosecutor Kelly Payne.
Gubbins told court Belcourt is remorseful.
The charge arose when Lakeshore Regional Police Service responded to a report by a female motorist on May 10, 2024 that another motorist was driving erratically near the police headquarters in Driftpile, Payne said.
The caller was driving with her Jamaican husband and noted the suspect driver was a risk on the road.
“They both feared for their lives,” Payne said.
After both vehicles stopped, the suspect began yelling at the female her Jamaican husband, she noted.
The suspect threatened to shoot the victims.
Belcourt also made racial slurs at the male victim.
When police arrived, Belcourt showed many signs of being impaired. Police also observed open liquor containers in the vehicle.
Belcourt was also holding an open beer can when he stepped out of the vehicle, the Crown added.
Belcourt has a previous charge of impaired operation in 2023.
Jeremy Jay Grey, of Atikameg, was fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to driving while suspended or disqualified under an immediate roadside sanction, $300 for mischief with damage under $5,000.
Justice G.W. Paul supported a joint submission from Crown prosecutor Kelly Payne and duty counsel Derek Renzini.
Court heard Grey broke a window at a residence, Payne told court. It was cold outside and Grey was wearing only pants and looking for a warm place to stay.
He immediately apologized to the occupant for the damage, the Crown stated.
Grey was also intoxicated at the time.
To worsen matters, Grey missed a docket appearance.
During sentencing, Justice Paul said Grey’s criminal record has countless convictions of failing to appear in court and failing to comply with court orders.
Paul ordered Grey to pay the fines by June 30.
Fred Wesley Giroux was sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading guilty to failing to appear in court.
He missed a trial date, Crown prosecutor Kelly Payne said.
Crown witnesses were present at court, she noted.
“It’s a crime against administration of justice,” duty counsel Derek Renzini said.