A Red Pheasant First Nation man has received a five-year penitentiary sentence in connection to a March bank robbery in North Battleford.
Kevin Peyachew was given that sentence in provincial court in North Battleford Wednesday. He was sentenced for robbery and unlawful confinement in the March 16 incident that took place at the Bank of Montreal on 101st Street.
Peyachew, who has been in custody, is credited 151 days as time served. He also was ordered to give a DNA sample and a lifetime firearms prohibition has been imposed.
According to the facts outlined in court, the incident took place shortly after 4 p.m., closing time at the bank. Peyachew had been inside the bank for about 30 minutes but was asked to leave at that time.
As he made his way to the exit, Peyachew grabbed a female employee by the neck. Peyachew then confined nine employees to a location inside and proceeded to hold up the bank. He made various demands for cash from the bank teller before finally receiving an amount of just over $1,000.
In the meantime the burglar alarm had been pulled and that prompted a response from the RCMP to the scene within a few minutes.
Peyachew tried to exit by the front entrance, but made his way back inside when he saw the police arriving. He then grabbed the bank manager in a chokehold and used her as a human shield against the police.
Police ultimately entered the bank and chased Peyachew, who was eventually taken into custody.
In outlining the facts to Judge Kim Young in provincial court Wednesday, lawyers noted the incident was not a textbook bank robbery situation.
Prosecutor Alexandra Findlay noted Peyachew did not have a weapon and also did not seem to know what he wanted, first asking for $10,000 and then $5,000 and $2,000.
Defence lawyer Cameron Schmunk pointed out this incident was not planned out for months in advance. He described it as an “impulsive” situation. He also pointed to several witnesses describing Peyachew as “confused” and not knowing what he wanted during the robbery.
The profound impact of the incident on staff was acknowledged, with the two women suffering injuries.
There were some mitigating factors in sentencing, with mental health issues of the accused as factors. The early guilty plea was also considered in sentencing.
Peyachew’s family was present in court and there were letters of support for Peyachew from Red Pheasant First Nation.
Marijuana use was a factor, and the Crown suggested it was an aggravating factor in this instance.
Judge Young ultimately went with a five-year sentence, which was within the range that the Crown suggested.
The judge noted the “profound impact” on the victims as well as the fact that there was “actual injury.” He also noted it was not a “spur of the moment” robbery.
