SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — A P.E.I. woman will go to jail for eight days for failing to appear in court and breaching an undertaking.
Jenifer Ashley MacArthur, 33, appeared before Judge Krista MacKay in Summerside provincial court, where she was sentenced on the two charges. As well, MacArthur will remain on probation until November 2021.
MacArthur was placed on probation in November 2019 for 24 months but has missed several appointments since January. She also missed a court date on July 8.
MacArthur’s record goes back to 2011, and the most recent report from her probation officer is not positive, said Crown attorney John Diamond.
Defence attorney Trish Cheverie said it’s clear MacArthur has struggled with mental health and addictions issues. After her latest stint in jail, she got into an inpatient detox program and had some success. However, she has been under stress lately due to a custody dispute for her youngest child, said Cheverie.
MacKay said not attending appointments with probation for nine months is not acceptable.
“When you’re placed on probation, you have obligations and you have to meet them.”
