BOYLE – A man whose criminal record would “take all day” to read into open court, was sentenced to a year in jail last week after pleading guilty to 10 of the 18 charges he faced in court.
In Boyle Provincial Court March 9, Judge Clifton Purvis handed down a global sentence of one year in jail and 18 months of probation to 45-year-old Randy Dean Mercier of Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement. He pleaded guilty to one charge each of assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, obstructing a peace officer, driving while prohibited and a slew of breaches and failure to appear in court charges.
Crown prosecutor Brett Grierson took the court through a series of crimes committed by Mercier starting in March 2019 through to January 2021, when he was apprehended and sent to the Edmonton Remand Centre, where he has been ever since.
Grierson told court Boyle RCMP had been called to Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement March 31, 2019, to respond to a complaint of an assault. When the member arrived at the house, they found Mercier intoxicated and heard from the complainant that she had been kicked, punched and had her hair pulled by Mercier, who also threatened to use bear mace on her.
Mercier than failed to report to a probation officer between May and July of 2019. His trial on the initial charges was set for Sept. 24, 2019, but he failed to appear in court that day. He then failed to appear on a regular docket day, twice in November 2020.
Boyle RCMP were called to Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement again on Jan. 16, 2021, after a complaint that Mercier was operating a snowmobile. He was under conditions to remain within the City of Edmonton at that time and was supposed to be reporting to RCMP on a weekly basis. He was also prohibited from operating any type vehicle and the RCMP member had to chase him down.
Grierson submitted Mercier’s criminal record to Judge Purvis electronically, due to its length.
“It's a very lengthy record,” he said. “I'm not going to read into the record, it would take all day. It's very, very long.”
After having a look at the document, and going over a victim impact statement, Purvis called Mercier a bully and said he was ready to hand down his sentence.
Given an opportunity to speak before sentencing, Mercier told court he had work lined up for when he is released, and that he misses his family, and they miss him.
“I’m sorry for the wrong doings I have done. I’m sorry for what I’ve done,” he said.
“At some point, the public needs a break from this guy,” Purvis said. “Left to my own devices, he would be going to the penitentiary based on his record alone.”
Mercier was sentenced to five months in jail for the initial assault, plus an additional seven months for fleeing from police on the snowmobile — one full year. He was also sentenced to four months in jail, to be served concurrently, for possessing the bear mace, and five months, concurrent, for operating the snowmobile while prohibited. Six additional concurrent sentences of 30 days each were also handed down for all the breaches and failure to appear charges.
He was given credit for 278 days for spending 185 actual days in jail, leaving him with 87 days to serve. Upon his release, he will be subject to a probation order for 18 months. He is also prohibited from driving for another two years, is prohibited from owning firearms and ammunition for the rest of his life, and must submit a DNA order.
“He belongs in prison,” said Purvis. “I’ll see you again Mr. Mercier.”
