Quinte Consolidated Courthouse in Belleville. (Quinte News File Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber)
A 20-year-old Belleville man convicted of several charges including robbery with a weapon has been sentenced to serve 23 months in a psychiatric treatment centre.
In May, 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 three separate incidents in which Drake was found wearing a clown mask and charged after displaying threatening behaviour with a knife. The most serious was a December 2016 incident where Drake was charged in connection with an armed robbery at a Bridge Street convenience store wearing a clown’s mask brandishing a knife. Earlier in the day, Drake threatened two youths at knife point.
On Thursday, Justice Madame Elaine Deluzio handed down her sentence to Drake after reading sensitive and undisclosed details outlined in a psychological assessment.
Court heard how Drake had a troubling childhood consisting of a background with mental illness and behavioural issues coupled with substance abuse.
“It’s a tragedy that there wasn’t more support provided to you when the Children’s Aid Society knew you needed support and medication,” Justice Deluzio said giving Drake full credit for cooperating throughout the assessment process. “Without your medication you’re always going to be a threat to yourself and others. Those two boys must have been terrified. The community needs to be protected until you get a handle on your mental health issues. When you come out, you’re going to need support so you’re not failing. The child welfare system failed you. I hope you participate in all of the counselling and treatment provided and when you come out in the community you stay well.”
Drake was given credit for time served so he will serve 13.5 months. He was also handed three years probation, a 10-year weapons ban, must submit a DNA sample, attend counselling, comply with a probation order that will include taking treatment medication and forfeit all of the items seized in his arrest.
