BONNYVILLE - Christopher Olszowka's pattern of failing to follow court orders was one of the reasons Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams decided to deny him bail during his court appearance on Tuesday.
Appearing via CCTV in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse, Olszowka explained why he thought he was suitable for release from the Edmonton Remand Centre.
According to acting duty counsel Hart Spencer, the main reason the accused was seeking release was so he could attend a course at Portage College, which started March 2.
"It's really important to him," Spencer said during the March 3 court appearance.
Despite Olszowka's intentions to complete the 12-week college program, the Crown was opposed to the 30-year-old's release on the primary and secondary grounds, with St. Paul chief Crown prosecutor Jordan Kerr outlining a number of previous failing to comply charges.
Kerr detailed the incidents that Olszowka has been accused of, resulting in charges such as mischief causing damage, resisting a peace officer, failing to attend court, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and possession of property obtained by crime, among others.
On Aug. 1, 2019, Olszowka was sentenced to 120 days in custody and a term of probation with conditions to report to a probation officer. He was charged for failing to comply after he didn't follow-up after their initial meeting.
A warrant was issued for his arrest.
A few months later, on Nov. 1, 2019, Cold Lake RCMP received a complaint from a woman claiming Olszowka had assaulted her while she had been staying at her friend's place. According to the victim, Olszowka, who was in a relationship with the friend at the time, grabbed the victim and threw her. The following day, Olszwoka assaulted her a second time and threated to kill her.
Another warrant was issued.
Bonnyville RCMP were contacted after Olszowka and another individual attended the residence of a local woman. According to the resident, they argued about money before he left.
Some time later, the female found her back tire had been slashed, and reported the incident to RCMP.
The following day, police attended the house Olszowka was known to be staying at. The accused's father invited officers into the house, but before they could catch Olszowka, he jumped off of the two-storey balcony and fled.
RCMP stationed outside of the residence arrested him without further incident, charging him in relation to this offence, in addition to his outstanding warrants.
On Dec. 22, 2019, Olszwoka was released on a $2,000 promise to pay.
It wasn't long before the accused came across the radar of Bonnyville RCMP. Just a few hours after being released, local police were contacted by a woman stating Olszowka had breached the conditions of his release by contacting her via text message. In the message, he told the victim he would see her in court, calling her names.
He failed to appear for several court dates and didn't attend probation as required by his release conditions.
Olszowka was arrested again on Feb. 18, after Bonnyville RCMP patrolling Twp. Rd. 610 attempted to pull over a vehicle with a license plate that didn't match. The driver tried to flee the area, but slid into the ditch.
When his attempt to take-off from police in the vehicle failed, Olszowka got out of the car and ran on-foot.
His tracks were followed by RCMP Police Dog Services to his nearby residence. Police obtained a search warrant and found Olszowka hiding in the attic. Further investigation led officers to items that had been reported stolen following a recent rural break and enter.
Olszowka has remained in prison since his arrest.
The accused made "significant efforts to avoid arrest," Kerr noted as one of the reasons why the Crown was against his release, adding he has shown a complete disregard for court orders.
Regardless of the strict release conditions Spencer was suggesting, such as a strict curfew, no contact, and to abstain from drugs and alcohol, Williams wasn't confident Olszowka would follow them.
He was denied release with his next court appearance scheduled for March 11 in Cold Lake Provincial Court.
