Sometimes adults should leave children’s toys alone.
During a Tuesday, August 16, appearance at the Duncan Law Courts, Christopher William Marsden (born 1983) was found guilty for assault with a weapon, after having hit his victim in the face with a children’s toy, March 10 of this year.
“Anything can be a weapon, and in this case it was a tank engine toy,” Lake Cowichan RCMP Cpl. Warren Potter said.
The assault did not result in any emergency medical attention, implying that injuries were not serious. The assault took place in the community of Honeymoon Bay.
The court case was a simple one, consisting of only three appearances. During the last appearance, Marsden made known his intention to enter a guilty plea.
In addition to a criminal record, Marsden was given a one-year suspended sentence (considered lower than a probation sentence), and a DNA order, resulting in his DNA getting into the RCMP database.
Other cases:
• For an alleged assault with a weapon in Lake Cowichan the previous day, John Salonen (born 1974) was allowed a judicial interim release at the Duncan Law Courts, Tuesday, August 16.
The weapon of choice was a stick, which Salonen allegedly used to strike his victim in the arm, resulting in minor injuries.
The specific charges include assault with a weapon and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. Salonen will next grace the Duncan Law Courts Tuesday, September 6, during which time he’s expected to enter a plea.
• Facing drunk driving charges at the Duncan Law Courts last week was Danielle Moira McKenzie (born 1990), who appeared in the courtroom, Tuesday, August 16.
The appearance was a trial confirmation hearing, in preparation for a Thursday, September 8 trial.
The charges stem from an alleged January 16, 2010, incident of caring for or controlling a vehicle or vessel while impaired, and caring for or controlling a vehicle or vessel with a blood alcohol level of over .08.
• For charges stemming from an alleged May 27 incident of driving while prohibited in the community of Youbou, Douglas Graham Neva (born 1975) made his first appearance at the Duncan Law Courts, Tuesday, August 16.
Neva is expected to enter his plea, Tuesday, September 13.
• Drunk driving charges in Lake Cowichan brought Gary Michael Fletcher (born 1949) to the Duncan Law Courts, Tuesday, August 16, for a trial confirmation hearing.
The hearing came almost a year after the alleged incident, October 17, 2010.
The specific charges include caring for or controlling a vehicle or vessel while impaired, and caring for or controlling a vehicle or vessel with a blood alcohol level of over .08.
Fletcher will face trial at the Duncan Law Courts, Tuesday, September 27.
• Tracey Ellaine Kammerle (born 1968) has been charged with a number of offenses, both in Lake Cowichan and in Duncan.
In Lake Cowichan, charges include two assaults; one taking place April 28, and the other taking place a week later, on May 6.
Kammerle also faces the following charges in Duncan; Two breaches of probation orders, and one case of failing to appear pursuant to court order.
Kammerle's most recent Duncan Law Courts appearance took place Tuesday, August 16. Her next appearance has been set for Tuesday, September 13, during which time she is expected to make a plea.
• Donald Alvin Belanger (born 1957) faces three charges stemming from alleged incidents in Lake Cowichan.
The three charges include May 27 incidents of assault with a weapon, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, and a May 1 incident of uttering threats to kill an animal or bird.
Belanger appeared at the Duncan Law Courts, Wednesday, August 17, and will next appear for a trial confirmation hearing March 6, 2012. A trial will take place April 3, 2012.
• After having an August 3 bench warrant issued against him, Phillip James Chupik (born 1976) appeared in court, Wednesday, August 17, during which time a first court appearance after a warrant was set for Tuesday, September 13.
Charges stem from an alleged March 1 assault in Lake Cowichan.
Much of the information presented in this article is according to the Ministry of the Attorney General’s website.