(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Young mother handed five-month jail sentence, and told to listen to grandfather’s advice

May 25, 2023 | 3:00 PM

A young woman who received a five-month jail sentence, was informed by a judge her chance for failure was high if she failed to accept the advice and support offered to her by her grandfather.

Jodi Sanderson, 22, appeared by video from the Pine Grove Correctional Centre, when her case was discussed Thursday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. Guilty pleas were entered to possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as unauthorized possession of a firearm and obstruction of a peace officer.

The first offence dates back to the early morning hours of Feb 28, when Prince Albert Police were doing routine patrols and came upon a suspicious vehicle parked along Kemp Crescent.

A check of the licence plate confirmed the vehicle was reported stolen and flagged as a caution for weapons. When officers pulled in behind and attempted to take a further look, the vehicle’s driver stepped on the gas, backing into the parked police vehicle several times, before speeding off.

While fleeing from police through the city, the stolen vehicle engaged in speeds ranging from 78 km/h to upwards of 140 km/h, eventually heading west of the city down Hazelnut Road.

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Ignoring warning sign of the road’s disrepair, the driver continued before getting stuck in a snow drift on the grid road.

As police officers advanced on the vehicle, the driver continued to try and flee, spinning the tires in the process. After the occupants ignored repeated requests to get out, officers smashed both the driver’s side and passenger windows to gain access and arrest the suspects.

Sanderson was in the front passenger seat and at her feet was a pistol receiver. There was also handgun ammunition found inside her purse.

From the vehicle, police also recovered a long barrelled air rifle and a hunting knife.

Sanderson was granted bail soon after and failed to appear at her next scheduled court date.

On May 10, following a house party in Prince Albert, a truck was found to be missing. However believing one of his friends may have just borrowed it, the owner did not report it stolen until the following week.

On May 23, that same truck was found parked at a Prince Albert gas station car wash. Sanderson, who was in the driver’s seat, was arrested at the scene, along with two other people.

Crown prosecutor Maureen Longworth read Sanderson’s criminal record which included convictions for flight from police, possession of stolen property and weapons offences.

Longworth also noted Sanderson had a significant number of Gladue factors and expressed her hope the young mother could turn her life around.

Defence lawyer Deb Hopkins noted this conviction was a “watershed moment” for Sanderson and said Sanderson’s supportive family was working hard to help her get treatment and into college.

Noting Sanderson was from James Smith First Nation, Judge Hugh Harradence noted the community has been through a great deal of turmoil and tragedy.

“But I know there are good people there,” he said, adding Sanderson’s grandfather who was present in court was among them.

‘If you don’t rely on his advice and support, you are gonna fail,” Harradence warned Sanderson.

Prior to the start of the sentencing hearing, a young child was observed sitting in the courtroom with Sanderson’s grandparents.

Confirmed to be Sanderson’s young son, Harradence told the family members the court was no place for a child, and asked for the child be taken out.

Sanderson replied by making a tearful plea to have her son remain in the courtroom and the child was also observed crying as he was carried out.

“Your son does not want to see you on TV at Pine Grove,” Harradence later told Sanderson during his final comments, and again encouraged her to seek out supports in her community which include a treatment centre.

Sanderson’s lawyer did ask the judge to include to consider a recommendation for Sanderson to serve part of her sentence at the treatment centre, if she could be granted admission.

Explaining the decision was ultimately up to staff at Pine Grove, Harradence confirmed he would make the recommendation.

Following her release from custody, Sandereson will be on probation for a period of 12 months and cannot own or possess any weapons or explosives for a period of five years.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell