Sometimes kids get into mischief and cause trouble for other people or businesses — like firebombing the parking lot of a funeral home.
An 18-year-old male appeared in Moose Jaw provincial court recently, where he pleaded guilty to intentionally and recklessly causing damage to a structure by fire. As part of a joint submission between the Crown and defence, the boy — who was 17 at the time of the offence and so cannot be named — will have to complete 15 hours of community service by Dec. 31.
The Crown stayed a charge of use or possession of an explosive — in this case, a Molotov cocktail.
The teen was with a group of friends on July 16, 2019 and they had in their possession homemade Molotov cocktails, explained Crown prosecutor Rob Parker while reading the facts. The teens lit the homemade explosives and then threw them on the pavement of the Parkview Funeral Chapel parking lot on Hochelega Street West.
After investigating the situation, Moose Jaw police later found the teens a short distance away. Officers also discovered that the teens had damaged a recycle bin.
The boy’s charges were initially dealt with in 2019 and he was ordered to complete alternative measures, which is a type of community service that diverts people away from the criminal justice system. However, Parker pointed out, the teen — who had no prior record — completed only some aspects of that program and ignored others. This is why the Crown and defence recommended that the teen complete community service hours.
The teen will complete his hours in Assiniboia since he lives on a farm near there.
After listening to the discussion, Judge Daryl Rayner agreed to accept the joint submission.
The Provincial Court section holds articles that have been written without prejudice with the information that has been presented in a public court of appeal available to the media and public.
