WESTLOCK – A 46-year-old man was sentenced to a short stint behind bars after causing a scene at a local church earlier this year that had culminated in a few swings of an ice scraper and a face full of bear spray.
Court heard that on March 26 Westlock RCMP got a call about an agitated male at a local church.
Crown prosecutor Eric Mosley said Troy Normand Bilodeau was yelling at a pastor and waving an ice scraper around.
Bilodeau pleaded guilty to charges of obstruction of a peace officer, resisting arrest and failing to appear in court.
In the contested sentencing hearing, the Crown asked for 15 days jail, whereas defence argued for 11 days.
Justice G. A. Rice pointed out that Bilodeau had a limited criminal record and was living at Hope Mission in Edmonton.
“Sounds like tough times,” said Justice Rice.
He noted that Bilodeau was doused with bear spray during the arrest when he resisted police.
He handed Bilodeau five days for obstruction, five days for resisting arrest, and one day for failing to attend court.
The Crown withdrew the remaining charges of possession of a stolen credit card, using credit card data, fraud under $5,000, assault with a weapon, two counts of assaulting a peace officer, mischief/damage under $5,000, and threats to cause death or bodily harm.
