REGINA — A recent arrest on the Muskowekwan First Nation included death threats and racial slurs toward a Punnichy police officer.
Dennis Bruce, 22, appeared by video in Regina Provincial Court on June 1 – answering to a list of charges, but focused primarily on the events of May 4. On that date, the Court heard fires and smoke were observed beside the train tracks along Highway 15 during a routine patrol by police on the Muskowekwan First Nation. The attending officer noticed Bruce walking a short distance away from the fires, and he was subsequently placed under arrest.
At first, he refused to give the arresting officer his name, preferring to use expletives instead. Then, he launched into a racially-laden tirade against the officer from the point of where he was arrested until they reached the Punnichy Detachment. Included in that verbal lashing were threats to kill the officer and his family, hence the uttering threats charge being added to the mischief to property charge that initiated the arrest. Court also heard that the belligerent, racist behaviour continued once Bruce was placed in cells, and that alcohol and drugs were a factor in the incident.
“I’m completely sorry. That was really unnecessary of me to blab out those things during my detainment. I apologize for that greatly,” Bruce said when asked by Judge C. Snell if he had any comments before handing down her sentence. “I apologize, that’s nonsense.”
Bruce – who has no previous criminal record – admitted to Judge Snell that drinking and drug use played a part in the offences for which he appeared. He had been in jail since the date of the offence, and given credit for pre-trial custody, was sentenced to 44 days on the willful damage charge. He also received 44 days concurrent as a sentence for the uttering threats charge, amounting to time served for both charges in which he pleaded guilty.
For other lesser matters Bruce also appeared on (including breaches of previous orders, providing a false name to police, and failure to attend court), he was placed under a 12-month probation order.
Bruce was also conditionally release on another matter that included two counts possession of property under $5,000, plus single counts break and enter, and recklessly causing a fire or explosion. That matter will be heard on June 22, with a non-contact order placed regarding the co-accused.
— for more from Crime, Cops and Court.
