Mental health concerns led to one man attracting the attention of the Moose Jaw Police Service after a pair of incidents.
Appearing in Moose Jaw provincial court recently, Christopher Joel Hamre, 36, pleaded guilty to causing a disturbance in public and two counts of breaching an undertaking. As part of a joint submission, he received a suspended sentence and will spend the next nine months on probation. He will have to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, take personal programming, and complete 25 hours of community service.
The Crown stayed several other charges.
Moose Jaw police were called to an apartment building on Wood Lily Drive on May 31 at 7:28 p.m. for a disturbance in one of the suites, Crown prosecutor Rob Parker explained while discussing the facts. Hamre was intoxicated and causing problems on the first floor, including shouting, swearing and threatening his neighbours. He also did the same things while standing on his balcony.
The police attempted to convince Hamre to leave his apartment, but he refused to comply. It was when he left his suite two hours later that police arrested him.
In a separate incident, on April 25 Hamre breached his probation by making a call to 911 before hanging up, Parker added. He was drunk at the time as well.
Hamre is taking counselling since he suffers from severe anxiety and depression, but he also consumes alcohol to self-medicate, explained Legal Aid lawyer Suzanne Jeanson, noting the man is still on a probation order.
“On the day when the substantive offence occurred, Mr. Hamre … was depressed. He thought he would just have a few drinks, and he acknowledges a few turned into many and he lost control,” she said.
Despite his struggles, he does have many supports and can access them when necessary, she continued. Hamre speaks highly of his probation officer and appreciates the help she provides. Furthermore, he has formed a good relationship with one of the nurses on the Moose Jaw Police Service’s Police and Crisis Team (PACT) unit.
Since May, Hamre has had his medication increased; he sets an alarm every day to remind when to take his pills, said Jeanson.
“He really does see these as helpful,” she remarked, adding Hamre has moved out of his apartment and is doing better. However, he can’t work because of his poor mental health.
Judge Fred Kovach acknowledged that the joint submission was fair and appropriate and agreed to accept it.
Moose Jaw provincial court next meets on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The Provincial Court section holds articles that have been written without prejudice with the information that has been presented in a public court of appeal available to the media and public.
