A man who attempted to break into a vehicle in St. Albert and who was found with stolen keys and debit cards received 90 days in custody and nine months of probation after pleading guilty on Monday.
Justice Clifton Purvis said he did not think a 90-day sentence to be served on weekends at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre was an appropriate punishment for defendant Avhijot Singh Bhamra, who has an extensive criminal record.
However, he agreed to the joint submission between Bhamra’s lawyer and the Crown.
Purvis said he “would have sent [Bhamra] to the penitentiary” for two years and warned that Bhamra would see a more severe sentence if he appeared before Purvis again.
“You belong in the penitentiary,” Purvis said.
Bhamra was arrested last September after a witness reported two suspects attempting to break into a parked car in her driveway.
The witness called police, who found Bhamra lying on his stomach, hiding under a nearby truck.
Bhamra was found with several sets of keys, three debit cards and several medications. He was intoxicated.
Police didn’t find the second suspect.
Bhamra was one of five suspects charged in a 2017 home invasion in Sherwood Park. He was charged with robbery with a firearm, assault and careless use of a firearm.
Bhamra’s lawyer told court that Bhamra had been working to treat his substance abuse problems since the St. Albert incident.
