An Edmonton man is banned from possessing any type of weapon for the next two years after he pulled a knife on the owner of a bicycle, which he stole.
Kurt Morgan appeared in St. Albert court via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre Monday and pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.
St. Albert RCMP received a complaint of a stolen bicycle on May 17. When the owner of the bike confronted the man who stole it from him – later identified as Morgan – at McDonalds, Morgan threatened him with a knife.
Morgan was arrested by officers and charged with assault with a weapon, but pleaded to a lesser charge Monday.
Court heard this was the 18-year-old’s first stint at the remand centre.
Given 1.5-to-1 credit for time in custody prior to sentencing, Judge Marilyn White ordered Morgan be released and given credit for 36 days time served. He will also have to pay a $100 victim fine surcharge and is prohibited from possessing weapons for two years.
An unsuccessful attempt to steal a pair of vacuum cleaners and an air purifier has netted one man more than three weeks in jail.
James Ward Degroot appeared in court via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre and pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000 on Monday.
Court heard Degroot and two other co-accused loaded a shopping cart with two vacuums, an air purifier and several items of clothing at Target last June. The total value of the merchandise was more than $1,800.
The group pushed the cart to the front of the store but was caught by a loss prevention officer before they could get out the doors.
Degroot said he immediately ran away. He was coerced into doing it, he admitted in court.
Court heard Degroot has at least three theft charges on his criminal record that have netted him jail time.
He was given 36 days credit for pre-sentence custody and one-year probation. He is also not to contact the two other co-accused.
A woman who stole more than $90,000 from her former employer will be sentenced in the fall.
Caroline Ranson pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 in St. Albert court Monday.
Court heard a forensic audit by Landrex Developers revealed Ranson had fabricated and duplicated invoicing, making cheques out to herself when she worked for the company in 2008.
They are seeking $92,222 in restitution as well as the cost of the audit.
A pre-sentence report and a risk assessment has been ordered prior to her sentencing on Oct. 6.
