Quinte Consolidated Courthouse in Belleville. (Quinte News File Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber)
A judge has ordered a 19-year-old Belleville man who pleaded guilty to several charges including robbery with a weapon to undergo a full psychological assessment prior to sentencing.
On Wednesday, Tyler Drake pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon, robbery with a weapon, assaulting a police officer/resisting arrest, failing to appear in court and two counts of failing to comply with a recognizance.
The charges stem from an October 4, 2016 incident where police were contacted after four youths were seen wearing masks and carrying knives. Court heard how Drake was found with an eight inch knife and was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon.
In December 2016, Drake was charged again in connection with an armed robbery at a Bridge Street convenience store. It was revealed Drake entered the store wearing a clown mask and carrying a knife. He demanded money and fled on foot empty-handed. A foot chase ended with police tasering Drake who is said to have grabbed at the body of the arresting officers.
An investigation revealed that Drake had been involved in an incident earlier in the day where youths were threatened with a knife by a man wearing a clown mask.
Following Drake’s guilty plea on Wednesday, Justice Madame Elaine Deluzio ordered a full psychological assessment to be included in his pre-sentencing report.
A sentencing hearing is set for July 6.
