Teen gets probation for c-store shoplifting and weapon possession
A 16-year-old pleaded guilty Jan. 20 in Quesnel Provincial Court to stealing merchandise from a Circle K convenience store and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Judge Sabena Thompson sentenced the teen—who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act—to one year of probation. A third count, assault with a weapon, was stayed by the Crown.
The court heard the crime took place May 6, 2025, around 11:20 a.m. A witness alerted Quesnel RCMP that a male and female had shoplifted a couple of chocolate bars and slushies. They were confronted as they left by store employees who followed them and demanded payment for the items.
The 16-year-old noticed they were being followed, so he pulled out a meat cleaver from his pocket and threatened to use it if they did not back off.
He discarded the chocolate bars and kept running but was arrested and released into the custody of his father with an undertaking to appear in court.
The youth’s lawyer, Airi Cipelletti, told the judge her client identifies as Métis but proceeded to sentencing without a report analyzing how that influenced his offending.
Cipelletti said the youth brandished the cleaver after he saw a box cutter in the hand of one of the store employees. While it did not excuse his behaviour, she said, “It is relevant to the chronology.”
Thompson told the youth that “it’s just really important” to learn from his mistakes, return to high school and finish a Grade 12 education.
“Do you really need alcohol and marijuana right now? No, you’re shaking your head,” Thompson said. “I’m happy to hear you’re taking steps not to have anything stronger than that. There are a lot of scary drugs that do a lot of bad things very quickly. Hear how quickly fentanyl kills.”
