Ontario resident Nicole Boughner came to Saskatchewan to escape a toxic relationship, but it followed her, and she became so “hopelessly addicted” and homeless that she stole nearly $3,000 in merchandise to survive.
Boughner, 47, appeared in Moose Jaw Provincial Court recently, where she pleaded guilty to 11 charges, with many of them for theft, two for failing to attend court and one each for assault and breaching probation.
Since she had spent 26 days in custody, the court gave her enhanced credit of 39 days and counted that as time served, which meant she would not have to spend anymore time in jail. Instead, she would have to finish an existing probation order.
Boughner’s first offence occurred on April 14, 2023, after she entered Superstore and stole several items totalling $903.54 before exiting the store without paying, Crown prosecutor Rob Parker said while reading the facts. Store security apprehended her, but there was a struggle, so she dropped the bag and fled.
The courts gave the woman a one-year probation on May 26, 2023, and told her to report to a probation officer, which she did. However, she failed to report in June and the officer never heard from her again, leading to her breach offence.
On June 24, 2023, Boughner entered the Superstore liquor store, grabbed four bottles worth $135.96 and left without paying, Parker said. Police arrested her the next day but did not recover the alcohol.
On another occasion, the woman entered a shoe store at the Town ‘n’ Country Mall, grabbed two purses and boots totalling $429.86, and fled without paying.
She later visited Rexall Drugs and put several items into a bag, but because she was known to staff since she had shoplifted from there before, they told her to leave and attempted to grab her bag, the Crown prosecutor continued. She punched one employee in the arm and another in the face before fleeing; neither member was seriously injured.
On Nov. 14, 2023, Boughner entered Walmart and grabbed $450 worth of merchandise — consumables, trading carts and boots — and then ran out the emergency doors.
A day later, police arrested her after she stole two security cameras worth $200 from an apartment building on High Street West.
Lastly, on Dec. 23, 2023, Boughner entered Superstore, grabbed food, put them in bags and hid them within her clothing, Parker said. She then grabbed a winter coat, ripped off the tags and put it on, before grabbing socks, leggings and a Bluetooth speaker — all items totalled $713 — and running out the emergency door.
The total cost of all the items Boughner stole last year was $2,832.36.
Legal Aid lawyer Julie Knox explained that Boughner moved to Assiniboia two years ago to be with her son after leaving an unhealthy relationship in Ontario that included drug use.
She had six months of sobriety when her ex-boyfriend drove out and introduced her to fentanyl; he eventually left, but she became “hopelessly addicted” and homeless.
Boughner had no criminal record until last spring, but she takes full responsibility for the offences and is remorseful for her actions, Knox said. Moreover, she has admitted that her mental health deteriorated because of the drug use.
The woman’s time in custody helped her become sober, and when she leaves custody, she plans to move back to Ontario to live with her mother, the defence lawyer added.
Judge Brian Hendrickson accepted the joint submission and agreed to waive the victim fine surcharge.
