Jason John Peddle, who most recently was sentenced to 27 months in prison for setting fire to a downstairs apartment of a Mount Moriah home in 2013, is before the court again. This time he is charged with assaulting a peace officer and breaking conditions of his probation.
Following a stint at the Waterford psychiatric hospital in St. John’s, the case was called in provincial court in Corner Brook on Friday. Legal-aid lawyer Peter Chaffey told Judge Wayne Gorman his client was “certified” again, and is currently at Western Memorial Regional Hospital.
Chaffey requested the matter be set over, but acknowledged he was uncertain of how long it would be before Peddle would be able to proceed. The lawyer said he was also still trying to connect with the assertive community treatment (ACT) team for an update.
Crown attorney Alana Dwyer took no issue with the request for postponement. The matter will be called again Oct. 6.
In 2013, a woman and her grandson had to flee from their home after Peddle set fire to the downstairs apartment. Peddle’s girlfriend was also in the downstairs bedroom at the time.
He was convicted of arson with disregard for human life and breaking his probation. His sentence was reduced by six-and-a-half months due to time served. He was identified as suffering from schizophrenia.
Peddle also has a criminal record consisting mainly of property and drug offences, dating between 1995 and 2000 — the latest of which resulted in a three-year prison sentence. He was also sentenced to two years in jail for aggravated assault in 2010.
Twitter: @WS_CoryHurley