Amy Cardinal is a 25-year-old female that was described by the court as having a "sizeable and serious" record for her age.
During Cardinal's appearance in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse, Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams sentenced the accused to 120 days, time-served, and a weapons prohibition.
On Tuesday, May 28, Cardinal pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and theft under $5,000.
The offences stem from various incidences, with the first taking place on October 7, 2018.
Police were called to the Liquor Mart after a male and female stole four bottles of vodka before fleeing in a truck.
Surveillance footage allowed police to identify the suspects as Cardinal and Desmond Spence.
Two days later, on Oct. 9, 2018, Cold Lake and St. Paul RCMP were patrolling the Elizabeth Métis Settlement regarding a stolen vehicle that had fled from police earlier that day.
Information provided to responding officers revealed Cardinal as one of the suspects involved.
RCMP pinged Cardinal's cellphone, which led them to a residence on the Elizabeth Métis Settlement.
The truck, which had been reported stolen and was involved in a break and enter the day before, was on the property.
After being invited into the house, police began to search for Cardinal. They located her hiding in the laundry room.
She was arrested with some resistance.
A search of her belongings resulted in RCMP finding identification belonging to the owner of the stolen truck, a key for the stolen vehicle, and multiple cell phone cords, among other items reported stolen from the earlier break and enter.
Cold Lake RCMP came across Cardinal again on March 13, when they received a complaint about a female high on methamphetamine at the Shell Gas Station trying to steal cigarettes and a lighter.
Crown prosecutor Tyler McLean said it was Cardinal's father who called police because she was "high and out of control."
During her arrest, Cardinal was uncooperative with officers.
Police found bear mace in her pocket during a brief search, and later at the detachment, located a switchblade knife hidden inside of her bra strap.
Her criminal record "is very long and serious for a 25-year-old," said McLean, adding prior convictions include weapons offences, flight from police, and failing to comply with conditions, among others.
This was one of the reasons why the Crown was seeking 120 days in custody, but no probation.
"I don't trust her to follow any conditions," McLean noted.
Defence counsellor Hart Spencer said Cardinal, who has addictions issues, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression.
Now that she's on her medication, she seems to be doing a lot better, he explained.
According to her father, "she's a good girl so long as she's taking her medication."
Keeping Cardinal's record in mind, Williams agreed to the joint submission of 120 days in jail and a two-year weapons prohibition.
She said Cardinal's criminal history, "puts a burden on the court to ensure the public is safe."
After serving 120 pre-trial days, Cardinal was released from custody.
"If you're back in front of the court again, you're going back to jail," stressed Williams.
