Disclaimer: The Fitzhugh only reports on matters that are entered into the public record.

Judge D.C. Norheim presided over Jasper Provincial Court on Sept. 7. The following charges were heard in court.

Kellie Osguthorpe appeared in court to face a charge of impaired operation of a motor vehicle under section 253.1 A of the Criminal Code. Two other charges were dropped against Osguthorpe in relation to the matter that occurred on March 27. At 3:20 a.m. that morning, a slow moving vehicle came to the attention of the RCMP. The RCMP officer witnessed the vehicle make a wide right turn, and initiated a traffic stop. The officer discovered the driver of the vehicle appeared to be impaired by alcohol. 

The Crown asked Judge Norheim to consider a $1,600 fine and prohibition of alcohol, based in part on a previous charge of driving over the legal blood alcohol limit in March 2006. 

Judge Norheim handed down a $1,600 fine, a one year driving suspension and instructed Osguthorpe to report to a probation officer, and complete any alcohol treatment as set out by the officer. Osguthorpe was also required to abstain from alcohol. All other charges were withdrawn. 

Chad Doyle was charged with mischief in relation to property under section 430.1 of the Criminal Code. The charge stems from an incident on July 18, where the accused was witnessed scratching the hood of a vehicle with a piece of re-bar on Patricia St. The owner of the vehicle witnessed the vandalism. Doyle entered a guilty plea, and was given a $250 fine and granted a conditional discharge. Doyle was also asked to complete 20 hours of community service. 

A warrant was issued for Richard Garford, who was to appear in court to face charges of possession of a controlled substance under section 4.1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. 

Steven Tessmer is charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle under section 253.1 A, and operation of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood under section 253.1 B, both under the Criminal Code. Tessmer did not appear to face the charges, and a warrant was issued based on a recognizance for Sept. 7. 

Tiffany LaFountain appeared in court to be sentenced on two Criminal Code matters; failure to attend court under section 145.5, and failure to appear or to comply with a summons under section 145.4. LaFountain appeared in court to read a letter to Judge Norheim about the changes she has made in her life since the charges were laid. The judge accepted a joint submission from counsel and the Crown, that LaFountain be sentenced to 14 days time served on the second charge, and given a $500 fine on the first. 

“It sounds to me like your life has changed and you aren’t likely to get into trouble,” said Judge Norheim, in announcing his decision. 

Frank Boostrom was charged with possession of a controlled substance under section 4.1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The charges were handed out on May 10, 2010. An RCMP officer observed a vehicle travelling 10 kilometres over the 90 km speed limit, and initiated a traffic stop. The officer noted the smell of marijuana. Judge Norheim asked to confirm whether the marijuana had been burnt or was raw, to which Crown answered it had been burnt but not within that day. The Crown said the amount confiscated from Boostrom was less than a gram, but Boostrom failed to complete alternative measures as set out by the court. 

Judge Norheim further asked for confirmation that Boostrom was not in fact using at the time of the charges. 

The Crown requested a conditional discharge. 

Boostrom addressed the court, saying he had never been in trouble with the law before, and that he was unable to complete his alternative measures because he was working in a camp. Boostrom told the court that he had attended every court date since then, and had turned himself in after missing the deadline. 

Norheim noted the lack of a prior record, and agreed that Boostrom should have an opportunity to not have a criminal record. A discharge was granted on condition of probation for six months, and 40 hours of community service to be completed by March 1, 2012.