A report of suspicious behaviour led Lac La Biche RCMP to an arrest.
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, a Lac La Biche gas station contacted police to report strange behaviour.
Officers attended the scene, got a description of the person in question, and later identified the driver as Dusty J. Howse.
When they went to arrest the 49-year-old man, he refused to put his hands behind his back and attempted to flee. He was later caught, and found to be breaching a previous condition to keep the peace.
During his appearance at the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 1, Howse pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property over $5,000, resisting a peace officer, and failure to comply with conditions of recognizance.
Crown prosecutor Renato Di Lorenzo was seeking a 90-day sentence.
Acting duty counsel Hart Spencer said Howse has a history in the court system, but it was a dated one. He plans to live with his brother in St. Paul upon his release, and wants to attend a treatment centre to address his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Spencer explained Howse’s father attended a residential school, and was described as ‘violent’ toward his children when drinking.
Howse described the past year as a “downward spiral” for him. He lost his home, possessions, and his driver’s license. In December 2018, his mother passed away, which Howse said had a hand in his behaviour.
Howse apologized for the way he acted toward the Lac La Biche RCMP. He told the court he was 33 days sober at the time of his appearance, and proud of the achievement.
Honourable Judge Robert Shaigec didn’t order Howse to attend a treatment centre, but strongly urged him to, to get his life back in order.
“The reality is you’re 50-years-old. There are others under no court order who got a bed. You’re able to on your own attend a facility,” he said.
After serving 35 days in jail, which works out to 53 days enhanced, Howse was granted time-served and was released from the Edmonton Remand Centre.
