H.P. court docket
Jan. 20, 2025
Justice B.R. Hougestol
A Whitefish man will spend almost another year in jail after pointing a loaded firearm that was restricted or prohibited.
Wallace Laboucan, 47, was handed a global sentence of 540 days after pleading guilty to possession of a loaded, prohibited or restricted firearm, and pointing a firearm when he was sentenced Jan. 20 in High Prairie Court of Justice.
He was given credit for 183 days already served in custody with a balance of 357 days to serve.
The charges arose after Laboucan and two females were drinking alcohol in Atikameg on Aug. 19, 2024, Crown prosecutor Alex Granley told court.
Laboucan was intoxicated and holding a modified loaded 12-gauge shotgun while walking along Highway 750 with the females, the Crown added. He pointed the gun at one of the female victims.
Laboucan pleaded guilty at a previous court appearance.
After he is released from prison, Laboucan will be placed on probation for two years. During probation, he must not have any contact with the victims and take residential treatment for alcohol addictions as directed.
During sentencing, Justice B.R. Hougestol noted the situation was aggravating.
“Any use of firearms and bad social behaviour is serious,” he said.
Laboucan was also banned from possessing and using firearms and is required to provide a DNA sample to authorities.
Justice Hougestol appreciated Laboucan’s early guilty pleas on both charges.
Laboucan’s lawyer, Derek Renzini, said his client plans to take residential treatment.
“His guilty pleas are voluntary,” Renzini added.
“He is taking responsibility and he is remorseful for his behaviour.”
Court heard Laboucan has already taken addictions treatment and wants more.
Brian William Mckenzie, 33, was placed on probation for nine months after pleading guilty to assault.
Mckenzie was in a “domestic dispute with a female” when the charge arose, Crown prosecutor Max Gerlach told court.
“He pushed her several times and held her in a headlock.”
Mckenzie was upset after she was talking on her cell phone with another male, the Crown alleged.
He also grabbed the phone and threw it, Gerlach added.
Justice B.R. Hougestol said the sentence suits the crime.
“Probation is quite appropriate.”
During probation, Mckenzie must not have any contact with the victim and complete treatment for domestic assault as directed.