MEADOW LAKE - A woman who was sentenced today to jail time for weapons and theft charges plans to deal with her drug addiction and has reached out to a group that helps gang members leave the lifestyle, the court heard.
Madison Tinker, 24, appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court Oct. 18 by telephone from Pine Grove Correctional Centre and was given a global sentence of eight months in jail.
Defense lawyer Chris Gratton told the court that Tinker was homeless at the time of her offence and she has since reached out to STR8UP for help. STR8UP offers outreach services and programs, provides advocacy and support in prisons and courtrooms, and connects former gang members with community supports and resources. They help gang members get out of the gang, return to school, get a job, find housing and stay out of prison.
Gratton told the court Tinker also wants to get counseling, and when she is released from jail, addiction treatment, possibly at a recovery program in Lloydminster.
“Drugs are what leads a person to this kind of behaviour,” said Gratton. “If she has the support and focuses on addictions treatment this won’t happen again.”
Judge Michael Tomka said drugs in Meadow Lake and area - and in the province - have become a problem.
“It’s an all too familiar story the court hears,” he said.
Judge Tomka asked Tinker if she had anything to say before he sentenced her.
“I want to apologize for my actions,” she said. “At the time I wasn’t in my right state of mind.”
She pleaded guilty to theft, firearms, and breach charges. The charges of resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer were withdrawn.
Tinker and 22-year-old Kiefer Morin were arrested June 4 after RCMP received two complaints that a silver car was driving erratically on Highway 55 near Meadow Lake. Police determined the vehicle was stolen out of Prince Albert.
They located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver refused to stop. The car was soon located in a parking lot at a business on the 100 block of 9th Street west in Meadow Lake.
When police tried arresting Morin, he allegedly backed into the police vehicle and Tinker tried to prevent the police from arresting him.
A second officer arrived to help and two civilians from a nearby business helped the police officers.
Morin was arrested at the vehicle and Tinker fled the area with a firearm. She was arrested a block away by police with the help of the same civilians. Police found the stock of a shotgun in a nearby garbage. At the time, Tinker was under a court order not to possess any weapons.
Morin was charged with five firearms offences, possession of property obtained by crime, impaired driving, dangerous driving, flight from police, and failing to comply with an order.
Morin remains in custody and is scheduled to appear by CCTV in Meadow Lake Provincial Court Oct. 25.
Tinker was given 30 days credit for time served. She will be on probation for 12 months after she is released and was given a 10-year ban on owning firearms.
