One of the suspects in a robbery and stabbing at Kahkewistahaw Gas & Convenience Store on New Year's Eve day will spend at least the next four to six months in jail after pleading guilty to several unrelated charges.
Bronson Gordon, 28, pleaded guilty January 3 to three counts of theft under $5,000 and several breach of probation charges related to a series of shoplifting offences at various Yorkton businesses during the holidays.
On December 31, Gordon and Francis Bellegarde, 29, were arrested after allegedly attacking a man as he entered the store on Broadway Street. The victim sustained serious stab wounds to the head for which he had to be rushed to hospital in Regina for treatment. He has since been released.
After the arrest, RCMP discovered the two suspects were wanted for other crimes as well.
Bellegarde appeared in Yorkton court on January 2 on one count of aggravated assault and one count of robbery related to the December 31 incident. He also faced another theft under $5,000 charge for his alleged role in one of the shoplifting incidents to which Gordon pleaded guilty. Bellegarde was remanded in custody until January 10 for a plea hearing.
At Gordon's hearing on January 3, defence attorney Richard Yaholnitsky asked that the aggravated assault and robbery charges related to the New Year's Eve stabbing be separated because he would be defending Bellegarde in that case.
Judge Ross Green consented, setting a plea hearing for January 7 on those counts.
The Crown, represented by Darryl Bode, proceeded with the prosecution on the three other thefts.
On December 22, Gordon caught on video trying to leave Yorkton Walmart with $633 in children's toys, but he was able to flee from the scene.
Four days later, Gordon was again caught on video leaving Sobey's with a cart full of groceries. The Crown alleges Bellegarde acted as an accomplice by opening the indoor so Bronson could get out.
On December 30, Bronson stole a bottle of liquor from the SLGA store. Again he was positively identified on video.
Citing a long criminal record dating to 1997, including breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, mischief and aggravated assault, Bode asked for significant jail time of six months in a joint submission with the defence.
In his own defence, Gordon told the Court he was sorry saying his family had been facing tough times, had no money, and he wanted to make a nice Christmas for his three children.
"I apologize," he said. "What I did was unacceptable, I know that."
He also said that he did not drink the bottle of liquor, which was a condition of probation from a previous conviction, but had taken it to sell so he could buy diapers.
Gordon made his second appearance by video January 7 from the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre, but had not had an opportunity to speak to his lawyer. The case was adjourned until tomorrow.
Alana Gordon, Bronson's sister, also had a court date on January 7 for sentencing on charges of theft and possession of stolen property and for a plea on one new count of theft. The Crown, represented by Todd Welsch, informed the Court there were also more pending charges to come.
Alana asked that her sentencing and the new charges be transferred to Regina, where she plans to move at the end of the week.
Green did not like that idea, but adjourned the case until Thursday so he could deal with all the charges together.
