CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – A man who robbed a Needs Convenience store at knifepoint was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison.
Matthew David Joseph Carter, 33, appeared before Judge John Douglas in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after pleading guilty to the robbery.
The court heard Carter went to the Charlottetown store on July 21 at around 5:30 a.m. with his face concealed and a knife in hand.
Carter demanded the clerk open the cash register.
He then jumped over the counter and took the float, the clerk’s wallet, some cigarettes and the clerk’s keys.
When the police arrested Carter he had $150 in cash, the clerk’s wallet and some other items.
Prior to sentencing, Carter underwent a mental health assessment and was found to be criminally responsible.
Carter had a prior criminal record and the Crown and defence made a joint sentencing recommendation of two years in prison on top of time already served while his case was before the courts.
Defence lawyer Thane MacEachern said a mental health assessment showed Carter had long-standing, pre-existing mental health issues.
A two-year sentence means Carter will serve that time in a federal prison, instead of P.E.I.’s provincial jail.
MacEachern said Carter hopes with that sentence he can take advantage of psychiatric facilities in a federal institution.
In following the joint recommendation, Douglas also imposed a weapons prohibition and ordered Carter to provide a DNA sample for the national databank.
Carter must pay a $200 victim surcharge.
