BY KEITH LACEY
For the two weeks last December, Pierre Leblanc, 22, went on a crime ?rampage.?
He and his friends broke into numerous businesses and vehicles, stole vehicles and vandalized many of the cars and businesses.
On June 11 of this year, Leblanc pleaded guilty to 45 counts. They included committing nine break and enters, 11 counts of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, two of attempted theft over $5,000, 11 counts of theft under $5,000 and 12 counts of mischief under $5,000.
In total, Leblanc and his accomplices stole in excess of $87,000 worth of merchandise and vehicles.
After several hours of submissions last week, Justice Yvon Renaud said Leblanc, who previous only had one conviction, to a penitentiary for 30 months.
Trevor Alston, 21, admitted to committing three of the break and enters with Leblanc and stealing a pickup truck and was given a 12-month jail sentence.
Kendale Wheaton, Leblanc?s girlfriend, was given a 16-month conditional sentence, including six months of around-the-clock house arrest, after pleading guilty to driving Leblanc and others to the scenes of numerous crimes and knowing criminal acts were taking place even though she did not
participate.
Renaud told the court it was difficult sending two young men with only minor criminal records to jail for a long period of time.
However, the planning involved and amount of damage caused financially and emotionally to victims must not be forgotten.
Leblanc was in tears as he kissed Wheaton goodbye to begin serving his penitentiary term.
Leblanc?s lawyer Dennis Bradley had urged the court to impose a long conditional sentence to be served in the community.
Leblanc?s crime spree was committed shortly after his sister died, which devastated him, and while he was under the influence of drugs, said Bradley.
His mother died in 2001 and losing his mother and sister in such a short period of time led his client to depression.
The defence lawyer, who asked for a conditional sentence, said Leblanc is prepared to pay restitution and do extensive community work.
Alston?s lawyer Alex Toffoli also asked for a conditional sentence.
