Author of the article: The Whig-Standard
Publishing date: Mar 04, 2021 • March 4, 2021 • 8 minute read
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A compilation of offences from Kingston’s Ontario Court of Justice for the period of Nov. 23-27, 2020. Only sentences that involved a large fine, probation or incarceration are included.
Alice Bergeron, 22, was convicted of knowingly being a passenger in a stolen car in early November and a related violation of a release undertaking that forbid her from communicating with the man who was driving the stolen car. She was given double credit on 18 days of pretrial custody and sentenced to a further nine days in jail plus probation for 12 months. Assistant Crown attorney John Skoropada said Kingston Police doing a midday patrol on Rideau Street took note of the black 2011 Kia Sorento parked at the curb with two people inside. Curious, they ran a computer check on the vehicle and, Skoropada said, they learned that the car had been reported stolen from a Fraserville rental agency in the Kawarthas. Skoropada recommended a 90-day jail sentence for Bergeron, and Justice Robert Graydon remarked on the number of entries on her record for thefts, possession of stolen property and breaching court orders. Bergeron’s lawyer, David O’Hare, argued for time served, however, and suggested to the judge that his client has “diminished moral capacity” as a consequence of fetal alcohol syndrome. The judge split the difference, deciding that a 45-day sentence, minus pretrial custody, was the correct amount of time. He noted to the Crown prosecutor that Bergeron was not charged with stealing the car or even having it in her possession.