A man Prince George RCMP caught in 2022 with a rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition will spend another 50 days in jail.
Michael Campbell-Alexander, 28, had a cut-down bolt-action rifle and 28 rounds of ammunition in his backpack and two more rounds in his pocket when arrested on the evening of July 9, 2022. He was found guilty last June of possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, possession of a firearm contrary to an order and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19 in Prince George provincial court, Judge Peter McDermick sentenced Campbell-Alexander to four years for possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, but he is entitled to time served credit for all but 50 days.
Campbell-Alexander also received time served for possession of a sharp weapon for a dangerous purpose. He had originally been charged with assault causing bodily harm after a Dec. 14, 2023 incident in custody.
Campbell-Alexander’s defence lawyer unsuccessfully contested the Crown case on constitutional grounds for alleged unreasonable search and arbitrary detention. However, McDermick ruled that evidence was admissible.
McDermick called the aggravating factors “poignant and obvious” due to Campbell-Alexander’s significant record of 23 previous convictions, for offences including firearms and robbery.
McDermick pinpointed an October 2017 sentence of 5 1/2 years for discharging a firearm with intent to wound, killing an animal, aggravated assault and possessing a firearm contrary to court order. That came after a gunfight in which Campbell-Alexander killed his opponent’s dog.
McDermick said mitigating factors weighed heavily in favour of Campbell-Alexander, particularly his Indigenous heritage and upbringing in an environment of poverty, substance abuse, physical, sexual and emotional abuse and suicide. A pre-sentencing report said Campbell-Alexander had low education and employability skills.
