REGINA – A series of thefts has earned one Regina man a year behind bars.
Shandel Medicine-Rope, 22, appeared in Regina Provincial Court on July 13, pleading guilty to multiple charges including theft, assault with a weapon, possessing a knife with a purpose dangerous to the public, and failure to attend court. The Crown stayed a further seven counts.
Through facts presented by the Crown, the Court learned that on Jan. 27, Medicine-Rope was seen taking items from a vehicle on the 1400 block of McIntyre Street. He fled from police when they arrived on scene, but was tracked by the RPS aerial unit and later apprehended by the Canine Unit. Medicine-Rope was still in possession of the stolen items when police arrested him. He was scheduled to attend court on March 14 regarding the incident, but did not appear,
Another theft occurred on Feb. 27 when Medicine-Rope was again observed breaking into a vehicle. During this arrest, police searched the man and found a pocket knife with the blade open, charging cords, mail, and lighters (property of the vehicle) in his pockets. After this offence, Medicine-Rope was supposed to come to court on April 6, but again failed to appear.
The Crown also provided information on of a pair of thefts from local businesses, the first occurring on the afternoon of Feb. 1. Police were called to the 400 block of Albert Street after a man threatened staff with a knife before fleeing the store with products.
Medicine-Rope again targeted a business in the same area on Feb. 14, this time being chased down by a security guard who witnessed the theft, and held the man until police arrived.
Legal Aid counsel noted Medicine-Rope has “significant mental health issues,” and has been using fentanyl and methamphetamine, in addition to an over-arching alcohol addiction.
In a joint submission from Crown and Legal Aid, a sentence of one year minus time spend in remand was suggested. Judge Murray Hinds agreed with the submission, and factoring in the 65 days of remand credit, sentenced Medicine-Rope to serve a further 300 days in custody on the matters.
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