The efforts of Evan William Reed Breti to overcome his alcoholism is the reason he received a “rather lenient” court sentence, even though one charge included breaking into his uncle’s farmhouse.
One of his first major offences occurred on March 22, 2021, when he entered Family Pawn and Second Hand Store on Fairford Street West while possessing stolen power tools, Crown prosecutor Rob Parker explained in Moose Jaw Provincial Court recently.
Video cameras captured the 27-year-old with the tools — which he pawned for $160 — that a homeowner had reported to police as stolen, he continued. Officers recovered and returned the tools while the pawn shop was out the money.
Breti’s first abuse of his family’s trust occurred on Jan. 22, 2021, when his father noticed that his truck was missing from outside his shop on Highland Road. He texted his son, who admitted to taking the vehicle without permission.
The truck was worth more than $5,000. Police later recovered and returned it.
The more flagrant abuse of family trust occurred when RCMP called the Moose Jaw Police Service in late January 2022 to report officers had arrested two people in possession of a stolen vehicle from a farm south of the city, Parker said.
RCMP observed on the property that Breti and the co-accused had broken into several buildings, including the main residence, which is a serious offence, the Crown continued. Inside, officers saw that the home had been occupied, the bathroom used, food taken and a bottle of whisky consumed.
These offences occurred between Jan. 17 and 29, 2022.
“Much like the incident involving the taking of the truck without consent, this was a situation where Mr. Breti had chosen to victimize (another) family member,” said Parker.
Even though Breti’s uncle still supports him, breaking into a dwelling house is a “clearly very serious offence” that could lead to jail, he added. The Crown also takes seriously break-ins into rural homes because of how isolated they are and the long police response.
Breti faced 41 total criminal and traffic-related charges when he appeared in court. He pleaded guilty to the three above incidents and to seven charges of failing to attend court or violating a previous curfew.
The Crown stayed or withdrew the other 31.
As part of a joint submission, the former Moose Javian will receive a suspended sentence — no jail time — and 18 months of probation to run concurrently on all 10 guilty charges.
Some stipulations include being on curfew for six months, taking inpatient treatment, providing 40 hours of community service, and being prohibited from owning a firearm for 10 years.
The 18 months “is a rather lenient approach for a break and enter,” Parker said, but because Breti has taken positive steps to become sober, that earned him a less severe sentence that is more rehabilitative.
The 27-year-old’s family fully supports him, while he has taken major steps toward recovery by taking a 90-day inpatient program in British Columbia, which has helped him stay sober for 127 days, said Legal Aid Lawyer Suzanne Jeanson.
He is now living in a supervised sober living home — he must submit to random urine screens and attend AA meetings — while he has a full-time job.
“He said his time in custody (16 days this summer) was a turning point,” Jeanson added, because it cleared his head and helped him realize he needed treatment.
“I’ve taken my recovery seriously, and as a result of being arrested and held for a number of days (in jail),” Breti told Judge Daryl Rayner, “rather than seeing that as a negative thing in my life, I see it as an opportunity and a positive to changing my life.”
Breti is fortunate to have parents and family who support him, the judge said. He encouraged Breti to lean on his family during his recovery because temptations to relapse would likely arise.
The 27-year-old is also being given a “tremendous opportunity” with this sentence, considering some offences are serious, Rayner added. He then agreed to accept the joint submission and waive the victim surcharge.
