(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Gang member at a crossroads, according to P.A. judge

Apr 7, 2020 | 2:00 PM

A man connected to multiple violent robberies in the Prince Albert area offered no apology or even a comment, prior to receiving an eight-year prison sentence.

Gavin Ballantyne, 21, appeared via video Tuesday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. The incidents occurred over a six-month period last year, and guilty pleas were entered for various weapons, and assault type charges, as well as two break and enters.

One of the more serious incidents took place on Oct. 21, 2019, at a residence in the 800 block of 15th St. W. According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown prosecutor John Morrall, two men entered a home and threatened the 40-year-old man living there. When the victim tried to flee to the basement, he was shot in the back. The intruders left with a number of court-related documents. There was no reason given in court why the men wanted the documents. The victim was rushed to hospital and eventually released, but Morrall said the man has not fully recovered from his injuries.

“The penitentiary is a dangerous place for someone that is aged 21” – _{Judge Hugh Harradence}

Another serious incident took place on the Muskoday First Nation on Nov. 2, 2019. A number of people, including Ballantyne, went to a residence and threatened the people living there at gunpoint. Ballantyne and the others stole a number of items including a laptop, TVs, cellphones, cash and a 2008 Pontiac G6.

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Nine days later, a man living in Prince Albert’s midtown area reported his vehicle stolen. The vehicle was recovered the same day in Waskesiu and Ballantyne, who was behind the wheel, was arrested without incident, Morrall said.

Ballantyne entered guilty pleas Tuesday in connection to a theft and assault outside the Gas Tavern last June, as well as for his involvement in a four-on-one assault at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre last September, which took place while he was in custody on remand. The victim, another inmate, was found unconscious but later recovered and was released from hospital.

Defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle explained there were a number of Gladue factors to consider in the case, including Ballantyne’s tough upbringing and the fact his own father spent a significant period of time in the correctional system. Pfefferle also cited a number of mental health and psychological-related issues.

The eight-year sentence represented a joint submission by the Crown and defence lawyers. Prior to accepting the submission, Judge Hugh Harradence thanked both lawyers for their considerable time spent on the file, adding he found the circumstances very troubling.

“It must bring some measure of relief to the public and to the victims of these offences that they will not have to testify and there is no uncertainty going forward as to what’s going to happen,” he said.

In addition to the prison sentence, Ballantyne must also submit a DNA sample and will be prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm for life.

Harradence then turned to Ballantyne and explained he was hopeful the sentence would help bring about his rehabilitation, and encouraged him to pursue programming at the penitentiary.

“The penitentiary is a dangerous place for someone that is aged 21. You have the option, Mr. Ballantyne, of either profiting from the rehabilitation that’s offered to you or you can go further into the world of gang life,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell