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Made up story about robbery

A 19-year-old, who made up a story about being robbed to avoid getting into trouble with his then-girlfriend, ended up getting into trouble with the law instead. Matthew Donald Hanlon, of Loch Lomond Road, pleaded guilty to leading police on a false investigation. On May 16, at about 4 p.m., Hanlon called police, saying he had been confronted by two men, Crown prosecutor Catherine McNally told provincial court. He said one man "sucker punched" him in the back of the head and when he turned around, the other man kicked him in the legs, causing him to fall. The men took his wallet and removed $60, he said. Hanlon gave police a description of the suspects and their direction of travel. But police searched the area and questioned people in the area and came up empty. When they questioned Hanlon again, he admitted he had made the story up. He had apparently lost $60 somewhere between the mall and Glen Falls area and "felt he had to come up with some explanation for his girlfriend other than being careless," said McNally. Hanlon, who had no prior record, was remorseful. "This better be your one and only visit here," said Judge Anne Jeffries, giving Hanlon a three-month conditional discharge. "You keep out of trouble for that period and you won't have a record," she said. Hanlon was also ordered to keep the peace and pay $100 to Crime Stoppers.

Sentenced for damaging window

A 32-year-old man has been given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to mischief causing damage. Ryan Andrew Purvis, of Murray Avenue in Fredericton, smashed a window at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre on Dec. 7, the court heard. Purvis, who paid $390 in restitution to the jail, was also placed on probation for three months and ordered to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

Fined for having of crack cocaine

A 46-year-old man has been fined $350 after pleading guilty to having possession of crack cocaine. Harvey Brian Harnett, of Sewell Street, was also ordered to pay a $52.50 victim fine surcharge. On July 18, on Waterloo Street, Harnett had possession of two rocks of crack, the court heard. "Doing cocaine is not very good for your health, plus it's against the law," said Judge Andrew LeMesurier.

Pleads guilty to pair of charges

A 45-year-old man has changed his plea to guilty of obstructing a police officer and failing to comply with a probation order not to consume alcohol to the point where police become involved. Peter Gerard Maillet, of Duke Street, who has a prior obstruction charge on his criminal record, was fined $500 and ordered to pay a $75 victim fine surcharge. "Obviously you don't catch on too quick," said Judge Anne Jeffries. She also gave him a suspended sentence for the probation violation and one year of probation to keep the peace and abstain from alcohol. On May 28, police were called about a domestic dispute at Maillet's apartment. Maillet was aggressive and argumentative with police, who found nine empty beer bottles on a counter, Crown prosecutor Catherine McNally told the court. And on the way to the police station, he was "totally out of control," saying he knew about chemicals and could blow up the police station and that he knew a good sniper, who could "knock all the cops off." Maillet doesn't remember the incident and "feels bad police had to deal with him in that state," said duty counsel Margaret Gallagher.

Alcoholic has hit 'rock bottom'

A chronic alcoholic has been sentenced to 10 days in jail and placed on probation for one year after pleading guilty to causing a disturbance. But Judge Anne Jeffries adjourned sentencing Kevin Dolan, 45, of no stated address, on a second charge of failing to comply with an undertaking until Dec. 2. "By then we'll know whether you're doing the things people have set up for you," she said, including treatment at Ridgewood Addiction Services, and then at Lonewater Farm. Dolan has been getting picked up by police "virtually every day, sometimes two or three times (a day)" for the last few weeks, Crown prosecutor Catherine McNally told the court. He has hit "rock bottom," resorting to drinking mouthwash, she said. McNally commended Const. Andy DeMello, who "went to great lengths" to find Dolan a treatment bed. Dolan told DeMello he "knows he's in dire straights, is drinking himself to death, and needs some help; that he's powerless to do it on his own," said McNally. On Sept. 17, at about noon, Dolan yelled at a man in King's Square, using "derogatory and profane language" and urinated against a tree, said McNally. "Needless to say, everybody who was there was disturbed by the whole process," she said, noting the area was particularly busy with two cruise ships in town. DeMello released Dolan on an undertaking and made arrangements for him to go to Ridgewood, but he only stayed a few days because he wasn't allowed to smoke there. On Sept. 24, about 11 a.m., DeMello saw Dolan again. He was intoxicated and in breach of his undertaking not to be near the Loyalist Burial Ground. Dolan was also ordered to stay out of King's Square and the Burial Ground, to keep the peace, and attend programs as directed by Ridgewood.

Sentence revoked, man sent to jail

Kyle David Dixon will serve the rest of his conditional sentence behind bars. Dixon, 19, of Newman Street, pleaded guilty to breaching the conditions of his sentence, which was being served in the community, for the third time since August, the court heard. On Sept. 24, Dixon failed to abide by a curfew and an order to keep the peace. "The court really doesn't have much choice at this point," other than to revoke the conditional sentence, said Crown prosecutor Catherine McNally. "You're at the end of the line here now," agreed Judge Andrew LeMesurier. "You just don't seem to get it." Dixon's sentence will expire on Dec. 6.

Fined for ignoring ban on fires

Arnold Lee Vail has been fined $150 after pleading guilty to starting a fire on a day when all counties in the province were closed to burning. Department of Natural Resources officers were on routine patrol about 7 p.m. on the day in question when they noticed dark smoke in the sky, Crown prosecutor Catherine McNally told provincial court. They discovered a fire, about three metres by three metres in size, she said. A section of grass about five metres long had been burned, and the wind was blowing toward nearby woods, said McNally. It took 15 pails of water to put the fire out. Vail told the officers he had started the fire about 6:15 p.m. using barbecue lighter. He was getting rid of old construction materials.