A man charged with a slew of property crimes from last year will spend more than three additional months in jail.
A man charged with a slew of property crimes from last year will spend more than three additional months in jail.
On June 9, Michael Kelm, originally from Vegreville, was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading guilty in Didsbury court to one count of possessing stolen property over $5,000 and five counts of possessing stolen property under $5,000.
Kelm will serve 105 days of the sentence after being credited with 260 days already served while in custody on these charges.
Judge Anne Brown also assessed Kelm with a victim surcharge of $200 per count.
There is a penalty for not paying on time: one day in jail per $100.
Brown did not give Kelm any time to pay, resulting in 12 days that he will serve concurrently.
These charges were laid after Kelm's Dec. 24 arrest near the village of Andrew, located about 330 kilometres northeast of Olds. Some of the items stolen included a motorcycle, power tools, a generator, tires and rims, electric winches and a utility trailer.
The Crown withdrew one count of possessing stolen property over $5,000 and four counts of possessing stolen property under $5,000.
Kelm was also sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to seven counts of possessing stolen property under $5,000 related to a string of thefts and break-ins in Olds for which he was arrested last November.
He was credited with time served for the sentence.
Of those seven charges, three were consolidated from 14.
A victim surcharge was levied at $100 per count.
Two charges were withdrawn: possessing stolen property under $5,000 and possessing a firearm without a licence.
Related to this incident, the Crown withdrew all 19 original charges of possessing stolen property under $5,000 against Kelm's co-accused, Nathalie Marie Carriere of Olds.
Also in November in Olds, Kelm was also found with 0.12 grams of methamphetamine and was fined $500 and a $100 victim surcharge.
The Crown also withdrew several other charges from other incidents including:
On Nov. 15, Kelm was charged with two counts of failing to comply with a recognizance and two counts of possessing stolen property under $5,000.
On Dec. 21, two counts of possessing stolen property under $5,000.
On Dec. 23, one count of theft under $5,000 and two counts of failing to comply with a recognizance.
According to the defence, Kelm expressed remorse for his actions.
While in custody, he contemplated the impact his crimes had on the victims, how they wound up trusting people less and started locking their doors, the court heard.
Kelm was able to empathize with the victims, said defence lawyer Brian Forestell.
He also considered the damage done to his family relationships, Forestell continued.
The court heard that Kelm has four children, three of them adults. He also has a two-year-old grandson being treated for terminal cancer.
The 38-year-old also worked as a carpenter, heavy-duty mechanic and in construction.
He is also a recovering cocaine addict, which contributed to his criminal activity, the court heard.
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