ATHABASCA – An Athabasca-area man received a 30-day jail sentence after breaching a release order that forbade him from having any contact with the mother of his child.
In Athabasca Court of Justice Aug. 21, Keenan Shane Plamondon, 28, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a release order as part of a joint submission between Crown prosecutor Sean Hume and defense lawyer Richard Forbes. As part of the joint submission, two additional counts of failing to comply with a release order, two counts of failing to attend court, assault, mischief damage under $5,000, mischief obstruction, and a traffic ticket for driving while unauthorized were withdrawn.
Justice Jeffrey Champion accepted the joint submission, and waived the victim-fine surcharge, noting that Plamondon had full custody of his four-year-old daughter.
“She needs you at home, she doesn’t need you in jail. As you’re becoming aware parenting is a 24-hour-a-day job, and if you do something stupid again, she’s probably going to end up in the system,” said the Justice Champion.
“You’re old enough to recognize that this is an adult world now, you have a four-year-old daughter. You can continue to do the things you’re doing or can put your stupid days behind you; you are in control of your situation, if not for yourself then for your daughter.”
Forbes told court Plamondon had been in custody April 3 to 25, and that no further breaches had occurred since. He also told court that Plamondon had moved to Cold Lake with his daughter, where he had found a job and employers who were “very supportive of him and his situation.”
“Even in the absence of (the witness), the reason the Crown is able to proceed is because (Plamondon) was cooperative with the officers when he was arrested. He’s admitting the criminality of his actions,” said Forbes. ““I truly believe he is in a much better place now, and he is resolving a number of criminal matters here now so that he can go forward with being a father.”
When given the chance to speak before his sentence, Plamondon said he was thankful to have it behind him and move forward.
“I’m just happy I can get this all solved today because it’s been a big stress on my back with how I’ve got things going in Cold Lake, and I’m just happy to be in another place in my life,” said Plamondon.
The facts
Hume told court that on the “specified date” — Justice and Solicitor General Court Checks was able to confirm that the offence occurred April 3 — Plamondon was invited over to the complainant’s house to help with some repairs. Despite having a no-contact order with the woman, Plamondon still went, which led to his arrest.
“The situation before you today is not something where Plamondon showed up unannounced or without the complainant’s permission,” said Hume. “Nonetheless, the duty is still on (him) to not contact her, and not show up.”
