Blair Leslie Ballantyne has connections to a number of thefts in the Leask and Spiritwood areas, as well as one that happened at a Prince Albert jewellery store. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Rural Crime

Time runs out for wet thief

Oct 17, 2019 | 3:32 PM

A man caught with a number of stolen items, including two expensive watches from Bocian jewellers, has received a 12 month jail sentence.

Blair Leslie Ballantyne, 42, was sentenced Thursday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court for a number of property related offenses, dangerous driving, and a serious assault that happened in Saskatoon last July involving his ex-girlfriend.

According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Elizabeth Addabor, on Sept. 12, Ballantyne was spotted driving a stolen vehicle in the Debden area, and when RCMP attempted to pull him over, he sped off down highway 55 towards Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, reaching speeds of 160 km/h. At times he was also observed swerving in and out of traffic, as well as around pedestrians.

The vehicle would eventually come to a stop after running out of gas, and Ballantyne then tried to flee on foot, even jumping into the nearby Hines Lake to evade police. After realizing his error, Ballantyne emerged from the water and was arrested without incident.

After searching the stolen vehicle, police found the two watches, worth an estimated $1,000 each.

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On September 11, 2019, three people were seen on video breaking into Bocian Jewellers in downtown Prince Albert. Police have not made any arrests in direct relation to the incident. At the time of the incident the owner had told paNOW over $10,000 worth of merchandise was taken.

At the sentencing hearing Thursday, Judge S. Schiefner referred to Ballantyne’s’ criminal record as both “troubling” and “shocking.”

“I don’t know if you were the one that broke into these places, but you were the one in possession of the stolen items,” he said.

When given the opportunity to speak, Ballantyne acknowledged he had made “a lot of mistakes” in his life, and referred to his most recent sentencing as an “eye opener.”

The 12 month jail sentence was a joint submission from the Crown and Defence lawyers. At one point during the hearing Judge Schiefner asked Addabor why the proposed sentence was not higher, given the seriousness of the driving incident.

She replied they had taken into consideration Ballantyne’s admission of guilt, and also the fact that while the incident was serious, it was his first offence for a charge of that nature.

Ballantyne received 53 days credit for time spent in custody, and will also be prohibited from driving for one year following his release.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell