Court Report Kings and West Hants: July 4, 2023

This is the final court report for Kings and West Hants counties.

Suspended sentence, time deemed to have been served

Jacob Anthony Smith, 26, of no fixed address, has been sentenced to a suspended sentence with probation after pleading guilty to four charges.

They include committing criminal harassment by storming a person’s residence without legal authority, causing the person to reasonably fear for her safety; dangerous driving; and two instances of failing to comply with a condition of a release order, not to have direct or indirect contact or communication with two persons.

Smith was also sentenced to time served for failing to comply with a condition of a release warrant, to comply with house arrest by remaining at his residence at all times.

Smith pleaded guilty to the two charges of failing to comply with a condition of a release order, not to have direct or indirect contact or communication with two individuals, on Jan. 13. The cases were adjourned to allow time for a pre-sentence report. to be prepared and for the sentencing.

Smith pleaded guilty on February 10 to the charges of criminal harassment and dangerous driving.

On February 14, the court ordered a Gladue report to be prepared, and a sentencing circle was ordered on May 9. The cases were adjourned until June 26 for sentencing.

Smith pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to comply with a condition of a house arrest warrant ahead of his June 26 sentencing hearing. Judge Claudine MacDonald sentenced Smith to one day of jail time deemed to have been served on that charge. Smith received a suspended sentence with 18 months of probation on the other four charges.

Smith committed the violations on the North River Road on December 3, 2022; in West Hants between January 2 and January 9, 2023; at Ellershouse on January 10, 2023; and in Mount Denson on April 19, 2023.

A charge of committing mischief by willfully interfering with a person’s lawful use of property, a vehicle, was dropped on June 26.

Fined for driving under the influence

Victor Enrico Eugene Scarnati, 65, of Scots Bay, has been fined for having a blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than the legal limit within two hours of stopping driving a mode of transport.

Scarnati pleaded guilty to the charges on June 27. Judge Claudine MacDonald fined Scarnati $1,000 and banned him from driving for 12 months.

Scarnati committed the crime in Saint-Alexandre-de-Kamouraska, Quebec, on May 28, 2022. The legal blood alcohol limit is 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. Scarnati’s blood alcohol levels were not available.

A charge of operating a means of transportation while his ability to do so was impaired by alcohol was dropped on June 27.

Time deemed served, probation

Michael James Melanson, 35, of Wilmot, has been sentenced to prison and probation for stealing tools worth no more than $5,000 from Palmer’s Home Hardware.

Melanson pleaded guilty to the charges on June 14. The case was adjourned to June 21 for sentencing.

Judge Ronda Van Der Hoek sentenced Melanson to one day’s jail and 12 months’ probation. As part of his probation, Melanson has been ordered to pay $22.99 in restitution to Palmer’s Home Hardware.

Melanson committed the offense in Berwick on December 10, 2022. A charge of possession of stolen property worth no more than $5,000 was dropped on June 21.

Warrant release violation, mischief

Andrew Ross Baltzer, 29, of no fixed address, has been sentenced to a suspended sentence with probation for failing to comply with a condition of a parole order, not to be on or within five meters of the Valley Care Pregnancy Center grounds : and for committing mischief by willfully damaging the glass door of the Valley Care Pregnancy Center to a value not exceeding $5,000.

Baltzer was present in county court in custody on June 27 and pleaded guilty to both charges. Judge Claudine MacDonald gave Baltzer a suspended sentence with 18 months probation on the two charges.

Baltzer committed the offenses on June 23 in Kentville.

Release order violation

Shawn Kyle Cromwell, 38, of Kentville, has been sentenced to prison for failing to comply with a condition of a release order to reside at a specific address.

Cromwell was present at provincial court in custody on June 26 and pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Claudine MacDonald sentenced Cromwell to one day’s jail, deemed to have been served.

Cromwell committed the offense on June 24 in Kentville.