REGINA – Smashing up an abandoned apartment netted one Regina man more jail time.
Trea Keepness, 30, appeared in Regina Provincial Court on June 27. He was originally charge with break and enter to a building with intent to cause an indictable offence, but entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of mischief. He also had two charges of breaching a conditional sentence order, to which he admitted.
Keepness was placed under the CSO on May 15 in Fort Qu’Appelle with one of those conditions being to report to a supervisor. He breached that condition immediately, having never reported.
Court heard that on June 18, Keepness was still at large in breach of that CSO, and went to an abandoned apartment building on the 2200 block of 14th Avenue. As Crown prosecutor Aly Sparks read facts of the incident, Court learned Keepness allegedly pried open multiple boards on the building in order to gain access. He also is accused of breaking glass with a sledgehammer once inside the premesis.
A neighbour had observed Keepness conducting these activities, and he was arrested. The landlord noted it would be “not worthwhile” to seek restitution for the damage done. What the landlord did ask - both for the Court and Keepness’ benefit - was to know that a real person was impacted by the actions.
“What he really wants is to know that Keepness will not be back,” said Sparks.
Legal Aid lawyer Connie Hottinger informed the Court that Keepness was residing with a relative in a basement suite on the 3700 block of Regina Avenue. He had very little employment previous to going to jail, and was cut off from social assistance as well.
The joint submission posed before Judge James Rybchuk was to terminate the current CSO, and that Keepness serve a further 120 days in custody.
Ultimately, he accepted the submission, and waived any victim fine surcharge.
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