Stevie Bannerman was sentenced on Tuesday at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Man found with stolen property, avoids jail time

Mar 28, 2023 | 12:45 PM

A Prince Albert man who was caught red handed with stolen property, will get the opportunity to serve his sentence in the community, so long as he can abide by a number of conditions.

Stevie Bannerman, 32, appeared in person Tuesday at Prince Albert Provincial Court and entered guilty pleas to two counts of possessing stolen property – a Polaris snowmobile valued at $12,500 and a homemade trailer.

For these two convictions, he received a two-month conditional sentence order (CSO), followed by 10 months probation. He has also been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $800 to his two victims.

At the time of his arrest last November, Bannerman was also charged with possession of a fuel tank, but that charge was withdrawn by Crown prosecutor Maureen Longworth.

According to facts read in court, the thefts ocurred less than a day apart, and while the snowmobile was taken from a rural property in the Holbein area, the trailer was taken from a property in Prince Albert.

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While it was made clear, Bannerman was not involved in the actual theft, he was the one with the stolen property, and even had the key to the snowmobile in his pocket, when searched by a police officer.

Longworth also noted the trailer had been altered with spray paint (found nearby), and the owner had already paid out a $1,000 deductible.

According to Bannerman’s criminal record, he has 13 breaches for court-related orders, as well as prior convictions for theft and weapons related offences, as well as common assault and harassment.

Bannerman’s lawyer Dale Blenner-Hassett noted his client has a number of health-related issues and while currently unemployed, does intend to work some odd jobs to pay his victims back.

Elaborating on the justification for the sentence, Blenner-Hassett explained the case was initially set for trial on Tuesday, but by Bannerman entering guilty pleas, the witnesses, which included at least one elderly person, were spared the trauma from having to testify.

Blenner-Hassett also reiterated Bannerman was in no means the mastermind of the operation.

When given the opportunity to speak, Bannerman confessed he knew he should have told the authorities about the stolen property, and wanted to take responsibility for his part.

“I just want to get it done with,” he said.

Noting Blenner-Hassett’s explanation, Judge Healey argued it was still two convictions for possession, and so should not be brushed aside. Healey also warned Bannerman had it not been for the joint submission, he most certainly would have been looking at jail time.

“You knew more than they were just there,” he said.

Judge Healey also expressed his own lack of confidence Bannerman would pay the restitution, noting a number of prior cases where extension after extension was requested.

“In a perfect world, it’s a good idea,” he said.

As part of his CSO, Bannerman must keep the peace, live at an approved residence, and not be at a rural property where he’s not the registered owner.

Conditions of his probation include a curfew for the first four months.

“It’s not an option” Healey told Bannerman, encouraging him to make better choices.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell