I smell a lifer here. A teen criminal asked to be sentenced to more than the six months recommended by his lawyer and the crown so he could spend extra time with his cellmate – his stepfather.
The defence lawyer for Justin Beynen, 18, and an assistant Crown attorney were asking a Sudbury judge Thursday for a six-month term for a string of convictions.
But Beynen wanted more time in jail so he could spend it with his cellmate and stepfather, Jason Hastings.
Beynen explained to Ontario Court Justice Normand Glaude he has nowhere to stay when he gets out of jail until Hastings is released in October.
Beynen was hoping for a nine-month sentence so they could stay remain cellmates.
Glaude said the courts are not a social agency, but sentenced the teen to the requested nine-month term after hearing the facts of the case.
Beynen pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of breach of probation, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, theft of a vehicle, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and driving without a licence.
Beynen was spotted by police April 4 driving at high speeds through a neighbourhood, hitting a no parking sign and three parked vehicles before finally stopping, assistant Crown attorney Len Walker said.
Police found 17 grams of marijuana, a knife and six cans of beer inside the vehicle, which had been stolen, Walker said.
Beynen was on a probation at the time and prohibited from having knives. He also didn’t have a driver’s licence and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, Walker said.
The other breach of probation charge was for repeatedly missing appointments with his probation officer during March, court heard.
Court was told Beynen’s mother is a drug addict and his biological father was shot and killed when Beynen was a child. Beynen has been in custody since his April 4 arrest and sharing a cell with his stepfather.
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