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Thief gets lecture and put on probation

BY KEITH LACEY A young Sudbury man whose first brush with the law was an extremely serious one was spared a jail sentence, but not before a 20-minute lecture from one of the northÂ?s most experienced judges Wednesday.
BY KEITH LACEY

A young Sudbury man whose first brush with the law was an extremely serious one was spared a jail sentence, but not before a 20-minute lecture from one of the northÂ?s most experienced judges Wednesday.

Justice William Fitzgerald, who has more than 30 years of experience, told Gilbert Charette, 23, breaking into three different homes, stealing thousands of dollars of property, and then stealing a car and smashing it up concerned him greatly.

These crimes normally cry out for a jail sentence, even for a first-time offender, said Fitzgerald.

Charette pleaded guilty to six property offences, including three counts of break and enter over a two-week period late last March and early April.

Charette told Fitzgerald he deeply regrets his actions. HeÂ?s moved to southern Ontario Â?to start a new lifeÂ? with a young woman, and he promised to never again get in trouble with the law.

Fitzgerald warned Charette break and enter is a serious crime, which carries a maximum life sentence in Canada.

However, because a pre-sentence report clearly indicates CharetteÂ?s actions were out of character, he does show remorse and is about to take custody of his young son, Fitzgerald gave him a second chance.

He sentenced Charette to two years of probation and ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service.

He prohibited Charette from consuming any alcohol or any drugs not prescribed by his doctor for the duration of his probation, and ordered him to obey a nightly curfew between 7 pm and 6 am for the next two years.

Charette told the court Â?alcohol was involvedÂ? in his decision to break the law, and he had no problem abstaining from alcohol or drugs during his long period of probation.

Charette said he was truly sorry for his actions. Defence counsel Charles Conroy said the pre-sentence report prepared by an experienced probation officer indicates Charette made a mistake, but acknowledges the seriousness of his criminal activity and thereÂ?s a strong likelihood he will not offend.

CharetteÂ?s partner in crime was the leader and his client was more of a follower, but he did make a conscious decision to break into three separate homes and steal a vehicle and there is a serious price to pay, said Conroy.

Assistant Crown attorney Marc Huneault asked for the court to impose a jail sentence to be served conditionally in the community.

Charette is a first offender, but this was a serious crime involving planning and stealing thousands of dollars of property and he agreed thereÂ?s a serious price to pay for this kind of criminal activity.