Precedents set by other cases could have seen Philip Byrne sentenced to 31 months and 14 days for the string of crimes he committed over a two-week period this summer.
However, taking his young age of 20 and the possibility of rehabilitation into consideration, Judge Wayne Gorman said that would be an unduly harsh sentence for the Corner Brook man.
Instead, Gorman sentenced Byrne to 20 months in jail during a hearing in provincial court here on Tuesday afternoon.
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But that was not before making note of the seriousness of his crimes and his “consistent disdain for the court’s authority.”
Byrne was convicted of breaking into the Arts and Culture Centre in the city and the Valley Mall and of having his face concealed while committing one of those break-ins.
The latter offence, Gorman said, involved planning and deliberation as Byrne and the three others who accompanied him all had their faces concealed.
His other crimes included theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, flight from police, two counts of driving while prohibited and six breaches of probation.
Gorman said Byrne drove the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed to avoid arrest and the Crown accurately pointed out that he was fortunate no one was killed.
Gorman also said that in the past Byrne has shown a lack of enthusiasm for rehabilitation programs that have been offered to him and he hoped this had changed.
Byrne appeared for the sentencing via video conference from the West Coast Correctional Centre in Stephenville where he’s been held since his conviction and was credited with 81 days for time served.
When Byrne is released from prison he’ll be subject to two-years of probation. One of the conditions specified by Gorman is that he must and attend and participate in any treatment, counselling or educational sessions arranged or recommended by his probation officer.
Byrne must also pay a $100 victim fine surcharge for each of the offences. He was given 12 months to pay the $1,400. A DNA order was also imposed and Byrne is prohibited from driving for three years.
