By Taylor MacPherson

Jail for Vandall who drove car into ex’s house

Apr 10, 2017 | 2:00 PM

A man who drove a car into his former girlfriend’s house following a home invasion will spend the next 39 months behind bars.

Jason Michael Vandall, 41, dismissed his legal aid lawyer this morning due to delays in his case and, representing himself over video link, pleaded guilty to several serious charges stemming from an incident in June, 2016.

Senior Crown prosecutor John Morrall said Vandall and a female accomplice barged into the home of his ex-girlfriend on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, frightening the homeowners and their children. Morrall said Vandall and his accomplice were told to leave and got into his Dodge Caliber, but instead of driving away he put the car into reverse and backed into the house, forcing two women on the porch to dive into the house for cover.

The vehicle was hung up on the front steps and unable to move, but the incident was not over yet. Crown said Vandall’s accomplice exited the vehicle carrying an axe which she used to smash one of the home’s windows while shouting threats and obscenities. Vandall, court heard, was shouting “where’s my gun?” and “get the gun,” causing the occupants of the home to flee into the basement along with their children.

Vandall and his accomplice walked away after the incident, Morrall said, and a Shellbrook RCMP officer arrested them while walking down a nearby highway. Vandall gave the officer a false name initially, but was quickly identified through his photograph and police records of his tattoos.

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Today Vandall pleaded guilty to break-and-enter with intent, assault with a weapon (his car), possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (the axe) and obstructing a police officer by providing a false name. Vandall also pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen vehicle in an unrelated incident from May, 2016. Other charges of mischief and assault were withdrawn by the Crown.

Morrall noted Vandall had only been released from federal custody two months before the home invasion incident, and emphasized the seriousness of the charges.

“We’re talking about driving into a house, your honour, and trying to hit people,” he said. “The family, at that time, were very concerned for their safety.”

Vandall made no submissions in his defence and agreed the five-year sentence proposed by the Crown was an appropriate one.

“I think that’s fair; five years for these charges,” Vandall said.

Judge Albert Lavoie said Vandall had a “horrendous” criminal record and the attack showed “violence and viciousness.” Lavoie sentenced Vandall to 4.5 years in federal custody and issued him a lifetime ban from owning firearms or ammunition. With credit for the time he spent on remand, Vandall will serve 39 months.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews