CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A P.E.I. man has been sentenced to 18 months’ probation and a no-contact order after going to his neighbours' house and smashing objects in their driveway.
Paul Courtney MacDonald, 51, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown Jan. 22.
On Sept. 4, RCMP was called to a home in Grand Tracadie.
The couple told police they were concerned for their safety as there was an ongoing dispute with MacDonald.
The court heard MacDonald pulled into their driveway and began smashing a "No Trespassing" sign on the pavement, went back to his vehicle to retrieve a steel pipe, and began banging it in the driveway as well.
He left, and came back a little while later, driving by their home.
The couple told police there has been an ongoing dispute with MacDonald over a vacant piece of land in Grand Tracadie.
They own the property, but MacDonald believes he owns it.
The dispute has been going on for over five years.
RCMP went to MacDonald’s home and placed him under arrest for mischief.
He was taken back to the detachment and was extremely intoxicated while police dealt with him.
He was then lodged at the Provincial Correctional Facility for the night.
MacDonald was previously before the courts in 2016 regarding this dispute and was given a no-contact order with the couple for one year. The order expired Aug. 29.
He was also before the court Jan. 22 for failing to attend court on Oct. 2.
MacDonald, who was representing himself, told the court there was a message on his phone telling him that he did not have to go to court the next day. He said he learned that this message had come from someone in the community.
MacDonald received a suspended sentence in addition to the probation. He is to refrain from having contact with the couple and can’t go within 300 metres of their home.
He also must pay a $300 fine and $190 to the victims of crime fund.
