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Eighteen-year-old Scott Clavette will spend the next 300 days behind bars at the St. Hilaire Correctional Centre following his sentencing in Grand Falls provincial court on April 29 on various charges stemming from a series of events which occurred in Grand Falls.

Clavette was charged with committing a break, enter and theft at the Noëlla's Fleuriste flower shop on Feb. 2 and a breach of probation whereby he failed to keep the peace and be of good behaviour; committing a break, enter and theft in the Grand Falls Stadium and a breach of his probation whereby he failed to keep the peace and be of good behaviour on Feb. 12.

He was also sentenced on charges of breaching his probation between Sept. 15, 2007 and Feb. 18, 2008, whereby he failed to participate in a rehabilitation program, directed by his probation officer, including a stay at a detox centre and failing to participate in a Fort Access Program for 15 weeks starting on Sept. 24 and afterwards participate at the Cassidy Lake Centre, up until his rehabilitation program was completed; having a stolen gun in his possession on Nov. 25, 2007 and having committed a breach of his probation by failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour; having in his possession a weapon (a baton) for the purpose dangerous to the public peace and committing a breach of his probation by failing to abstain from possessing or consuming alcohol and illicit drugs on Dec. 27, 2007; carrying a concealed weapon (a ratchet bar), prowling at night upon a Dugal St. property in Grand Falls on Jan. 21 and committing a breach of his probation by failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

"On Nov. 25, 2007, Town Police received a call from Tom Carpenter's residence. Someone had entered his truck and stolen some money as well as a .300 Winchester rifle, valued at $1,884," stated Crown prosecutor Charles Couturier. "The rifle was later found after a search of a residence was made. The home's owner told police Clavette had brought him the rifle to keep for safety reasons," he added. "The firearm was recovered."

"On Dec. 27, 2007, at 7:45 p.m., Town Police were called to the Giant Tiger parking lot pertaining to an intoxicated person. Clavette was running and carrying a baton in his hand. When he saw the police, he put the baton inside his coat. When police intercepted Clavette on Pleasant Street, he did not want to cooperate. He was arrested and the weapon was seized. He was intoxicated and aggressive. He was incarcerated. He was also found in possession of a pocket knife, which was also seized. He told police he had the weapons for protection."

"On Jan. 21, he was found in possession of a ratchet bar and had been prowling at night. At approximately 11:30 p.m., police received a complaint pertaining to three individuals who had been seen trying to open some cars' doors. Clavette was intercepted on Vasseur Street. When he was searched, police found the ratchet bar in his pants. He again told police it was for protection, adding that certain persons wanted to beat him up," Couturier told the court.

"On Feb. 2, police were called pertaining to a break, enter and theft at the Noëlla Fleuriste flower shop on Broadway Boulevard. A window had been broken; damages were estimated at $200. Approximately $100 was missing from the cash register, as well as a camera. The total theft was valued at $400. A multifunctional plier was found at another location. On March 11, Clavette was questioned and admitted that he had committed the break, enter and theft. He told police he had been under the influence of alcohol," stated Couturier.

"On Feb. 12, police were called to the scene of a break, enter and theft at the Stadium. A window had been broken to gain entry into the building. Footprints were located outside the facility as well as inside where the thief had walked across the ice rink. Approximately $157 from a cashbox was stolen. A hunting knife was found at the scene. The canteen had also been visited and approximately $30 and some candy had been stolen. The cash register was also damaged," he added. "Upon questioning by police, Clavette admitted to committing the break, enter and theft."

"His pre-sentence report is very negative," Couturier said. "He has not finished his schooling and does not have a job. He has drug problems and did not want to take advantage of the programs which were offered to him. He is not interested in changing his lifestyle and is a high risk to reoffend. He is out of control."

"He is a young adult who is before the court for the first time," stated Legal Aid defence lawyer Louis Picard. He realized the seriousness of the offences and his fault. He has grown up in a dysfunctional family environment where he was the victim of physical and mental violence. He did not have many chances in life and he consumes alcohol and drugs. Attempts have been made to help him but these have not helped. He shows little motivation."

"As for the baton and the pocket knife, they are not dangerous weapons. He only wanted to use them to protect and defend himself," Picard added.

"We are dealing with a young adult who, in addition to being on probation at the time of the offences, commits other crimes. Deterrence and the protection of society are primary factors," stated Judge Jacques Desjardins. "Based on his behaviour until today, the only mitigating factor is the fact that he has pleaded guilty to the charges. Without supervision, there is a very high chance that he will reoffend," he added. "I hope that he will be motivated to change his behaviour."

Three more charges

Clavette pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing a sum of money, property of Dorita Pelletier, stealing a VISA credit card, property of Erickson Badio, and committing a breach of his probation whereby he failed to keep the peace and be of good behaviour on Feb. 8. A trial date on these alleged offences will be set on May 27.