TRURO, N.S.
NOVA SCOTIA
CANADA
A Truro man was sentenced Thursday to two years in a federal institution after pleading guilty to committing assault during a break and enter at a Young Street residence last May.
Jeremy Carroll, 19, entered a change of plea to guilty on several charges and requested through his attorney for a speedy conclusion to his case so that he could receive counselling that is not available in a provincial correctional facility.
“Mr. Carroll had set these matters for trial, there was a number of them,” his lawyer Sarah White said. “But, once he, I think, returned to the correctional facility it became apparent to him that his drug use was a significant concern to him.”
Carroll had been using hydromorphone every day before going in, which had contributed to him reoffending and breaching the terms of his release conditions, she said.
“I understand that since he’s been in the facility he’s also using. Unfortunately (it’s), easy access for him to get this medication in the facility and I don’t think he’s too happy about that.”
With no therapy or counselling services for those under provincial remand, White said, Carroll decided to change his plea so he could move forward.
“So he realized at this point he is going to be remanded for the next couple of years on these matters. He would like to resolve them and accept responsibility and move to a federal penitentiary where he can actually access some of these services,” she said. “He really wants to get to the pen, get clean.”
The break enter occurred around 1 a.m. last March 29 when Carroll and another man burst into an apartment at a Young Street residence.
Crown attorney Alison Brown said Carroll “immediately” came at the apartment resident, held a knife to his throat “and kept threatening to slice his throat.”
After about 15 minutes both intruders left and were subsequently arrested.
Carroll was then released from custody on a number of conditions, including being placed under house arrest and ordered to abstain from alcohol.
On May 13 he was again arrested, however, after creating a disturbance at the Truro hospital and uttering a death threat to a security guard.
He also pled guilty to committing assault while using a knife, and two counts of breaching court undertakings.
As part of his sentence, Carroll was given credit for 130 days spent on remand while awaiting trial.
“You’ve got to get your drug issues under control, right?” Judge Al Bégin said. “Do what you have to do.”
