Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

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A man responsible for breaking into a Prince Albert business and stealing an expensive boat engine will have an extra three months tacked on to the current sentence he’s serving.

Tyler Steele appeared by video Friday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. He would enter a guilty plea to a single count of theft over $5,000.

According to the statement of facts read in court, the incident happened on Nov. 13, 2021, at Tru-North RV, Auto and Marine Sales. Around 8 p.m, a black car was observed pulling up to the lot and Steele proceeded to get out and crawled under the fence.

After taking the boat motor, Steele exited the lot after cutting through the fence with a grinder. The motor, valued at $5,600, has not been been recovered.

The police investigation revealed Steele’s girlfriend owned the car that was used.

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Crown Prosecutor John Morrall noted Steele received a 12-month sentence in December, for some unrelated charges related to break-and-enters, possession of stolen property.

The three-month sentence represented a joint submission by the lawyers involved.

Judge Morin noted he was troubled by the fact that the boat motor had not been recovered, and by Steele’s apparent eagerness to make a deal in order to return to the community.

“A guilty plea means you make amends, not pick and choose what you do, and say to hell with society,” he said.

In addition to the jail sentence, Steele was ordered to make restitution to the business in the amount of $5,600. Morin noted payments may involve wages being garnished.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell