CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A Freetown man who was involved in a forced entry into a home was recently given a suspended sentence on three charges and a chance to make some changes in his life.
Nathan Andrew Perry, 25, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown where he was sentenced for failing to stop for police, forcible entry and damaging property.
Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Crown attorney Nathan Beck told the court that Perry was one of four people who went to a home in Hunter River to get one of the co-accused’s belongings.
The court heard Perry used methamphetamine before going to the home where one of the residents wouldn’t let them in.
Beck said Perry broke a window and one of the co-accused reached in to open the door.
After the co-accused ripped a phone off the wall, Perry went outside because he didn’t want any part of what was happening inside the house, Beck said.
The court heard the four people all left eventually and went to Perry’s apartment in Freetown.
After the police arrived at the apartment, Perry and another person went outside holding knives that they dropped before getting in a vehicle.
Beck said the police blocked the vehicle to keep them from driving away.
Defence lawyer Brendan Hubley told the court Perry is easily led but is in a good place now and no longer in the same peer group.
Before sentencing Perry, Orr addressed him, saying it was very concerning that he was using drugs and didn’t seem to think it was a problem.
Perry said it was a problem, but he has been staying away from drugs and hasn’t used since April.
Orr told Perry he needs to choose his friends a lot better.
With the suspended sentence, Orr placed Perry on probation for two years, which included conditions he have no contact with the other people involved.
Orr said she was giving Perry a chance to make some changes, deal with his drug use, continue to work and stay where he is living.
“It seems to be a very positive place so don’t mess it up,” she said.
