A 32-year-old man who stole packages from two UBC condos on four separate occasions received “a second chance” with a 24-month probation sentence.
During the sentencing hearing, Richmond Provincial Court judge Derek Mah told the man that he was compelled to give him “a second chance with no criminal record,” and he looked forward to the man becoming “a productive member of society.”
The man had pleaded guilty to eight counts of trespassing and theft under $5,000, which happened between September 29 and October 15, 2020.
Using a can of aerosol spray to activate motion sensors at the entrances of Binning Tower and Eton, the man managed to enter the buildings and take the packages from the mail room.
On one occasion, he even brought a grey bedsheet to carry the packages.
Upon hearing submissions from the Crown counsel and the defence, Mah sentenced the man to 24 months of probation. Conditions include that he adhere to a curfew for the first six months, attend and complete any programs such as counselling as directed by the probation officer, and stay away from the University Endowment Lands.
Mah noted that the man had fallen on hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic and that he had no prior criminal record. As a result, Mah decided to give the man a second chance.
The Richmond News has chosen not to disclose the man’s name out of respect for Mah’s wish to give him a second chance.
