(file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

RCMP investigation

Little Pine man receives nine months for incident involving vehicle theft, bear spray

Feb 21, 2024 | 5:34 PM

A Little Pine First Nation man was sentenced to nine months in custody in North Battleford provincial court Wednesday for a vehicle theft that involves bear spray in 2023.

When he appeared in court via CCTV, Durrell Bearsears, 30, pleaded not guilty to robbery but guilty to assault with a weapon – bear spray. He also pleaded guilty to vehicle theft, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose – bear spray, and breach of a curfew order.

Crown prosecutor Keltie Coupar and defence lawyer Andrew Lyster provided a joint submission to the judge for consideration, recommending nine months in jail, less time served.

In the agreed statement of facts read by the Crown, the court heard in an offence from Dec. 16, 2023, in Lloydminster, the accused was reported to have snatched the car keys from the ignition of a vehicle, and pointed a can of bear mace at the driver, who was a relative of his. Bearsears then told the occupants to get out of the vehicle, and drove it away. The bear spray was not used in the incident.

Then, on Dec. 20, 2023, police apprehended the accused with the same stolen car, a red Blazer, on Little Pine First Nation. Bear spray, a meth pipe and a measuring scale were among the items seized from the vehicle.

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A separate charge of theft of a Dodge Caravan was stayed by the Crown.

In deciding sentencing, Judge Marilyn Gray accepted the recommendation from the Crown and defence in the case.

Bearsears received a sentence of nine months in custody for assault with a weapon – bear spray, which factoring in credit for time served in remand leaves him with 73 days left to serve.

For the charges of vehicle theft, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose – bear spray, and a breach of a curfew order, Bearsears received 30 days concurrent.

In total he has 73 days left to serve.

Bearsears must also provide a DNA sample, and received a firearms prohibition for 10 years, and forfeiture of some items that were seized.

Bearsears is also facing charges in a separate matter related to an incident involving an alleged attempted car-jacking at gunpoint on Highway 16 near Bresaylor, east of Maidstone, on Aug. 29, 2023. He is due back in court Thursday. His trial is scheduled for July 29, 2024.

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @battlefordsNOW