Stephen Scott Larocque was sentenced to 120 days in jail for breaking a window and door of a Patricia Street home in the early hours of August 5.

He was also asked to pay more than $800 in restitution for the damage caused.

Jasper RCMP were alerted to the situation after the occupant of the home had asked Larocque to leave the premises and instead he broke a rear window and basement door.

Once he realized the police had been called, he left the premises and was found about two hours later by RCMP officers.

Crown attorney Bob Marr requested restitution for the damages and was concerned about the accused contacting the complainant again.

Larocque’s lawyer, Richard Ireland, said the Hintonite was hoping to make a fresh start in Jasper and had a job interview that he missed due to being in custody since the incident.

Prior to sentencing, Larocque pleaded with Judge Don Norheim that he was not a lost cause and was trying to mend his ways in Jasper.

“I chose to make that mistake and I take responsibility for them all,” he said. “I left Hinton, my hometown, to get away from a really poisonous situation for me.”

“I think I have a chance. I’m not a total lost cause,” he added noting that he had been in Edmonton on detox for five days and had hoped to attend a clinic but couldn’t afford treatment.

When Larocque said, “I’m a slow learner,” Judge Norheim was quick to respond with “you sure are.”

Despite these pleas Judge Norheim said, “it may be better than you’ve been doing, but it’s still not good enough.”

“There’s a better way. When you’re told to leave someone’s house you don’t break the door,” he noted adding that “if you are trying, you’ve got to try harder.”

With a sentence of 120 days in jail, the Hintonite will also serve 18 months probation after his time is served and is not allowed to have any contact with the complainant.