P. Affleck

Three defendants were charged with robbery with a firearm, break and enter, disguise with intent, possession of restricted firearms, and related offences arising from a home invasion.

The Crown's case relied on witness testimony, circumstantial evidence including proximity of time and place, vehicle identification, and the testimony of an accomplice.

The defence called a young person who had pleaded guilty to the same incident, whose testimony was found to be perjurious and unreliable.

The court convicted all three defendants on the remaining charges, finding that the Crown had proven beyond a reasonable doubt their involvement in the robbery and their prior knowledge that firearms would be used.

The accused pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a dwelling house with intent to commit forcible confinement.

Over an 18-month period, the accused made multiple entries to an abandoned home where he constructed a prison cell in the basement, complete with reinforced doors, sealed windows, and restraint apparatus.

The accused's plan was to kidnap and confine a specific individual, Gwen Armstrong, and demand ransom from her husband.

The court sentenced the accused to two years less a day, followed by three years probation with strict conditions including counselling and no contact orders.

The court emphasized denunciation and deterrence as the paramount sentencing principles.