A man responsible for a string of break-and-enters at businesses in St. Albert and Edmonton was given a ten-month sentence Monday.
Nathan Adam Lee pleaded guilty to multiple counts of mischief, attempted breaking and entering and breaking and entering over the course of a month this past summer.
The 10-month sentence will be reduced by the four months he has already served and he will serve an additional 18 months on probation when he is released from jail.
The incidents all followed a similar pattern, where Lee would smash a window and if he was successful getting inside he would steal petty cash from the register or other small items lying around.
The businesses included Mia’s Pizza, City Shoes, Paradise Pets and the St. Albert Brake and Tune Up Centre, which was his last break-in before his arrest.
When police were alerted to the break-in at the garage they responded quickly and found a vehicle they had seen in similar robberies nearby. Police in Edmonton and St. Albert had received nearly 20 similar reports before Lee was arrested.
Through his lawyer Steve Fix, Lee said the break-ins were all done to fuel an aggressive addiction to crack cocaine.
Crown prosecutor John Donahoe said given these offences and Lee’s criminal record it was past time for him get a handle on his addiction.
“It is time to get it dealt with and dealt with effectively.”
Fix said Lee had been clean while he was in jail and had already set up to go into a treatment centre when he is released.
Donahoe and Fix recommended the sentence jointly and Judge Bruce Garriock said he believed it would be the best way to ensure Lee stayed clean.
Under the terms of his probation, Lee will have to take any counselling his probation officer recommends, which could include Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
He will also have to abstain completely from using any alcohol or drugs and report back to the court once every three months for a progress report.
