A man suspected of committing an armed robbery while at large for violating parole was sentenced Tuesday to a further 217 days in jail followed by two years probation on a pair of firearms-related counts stemming from the incident.
Smitty Ralph Bent, 26, has been in custody ever since he was arrested during the early morning of April 30, 2022 - a total of two years and slightly less than 10 months.
According to an outline of the circumstances provided during a sentencing hearing on Monday, Bent was arrested after police responded to a report that two strangers had held up man in the vicinity of Ospika Boulevard and 15th Avenue. One of the perpetrators had a shotgun in hand and fired off a round into the ground before taking off with a half a pack of cigarettes and a cellphone charger.
Police surrounded the area and soon found someone who allegedly matched the description of one of the culprits.
Riding a bike, Bent tried to make an escape. When he was seen reaching into his waistband, RCMP kept their distance and fired off a round from a "beanbag gun" and then deployed a Taser, both to no effect. An officer then resorted to using a police vehicle to knock him off his bike.
Bent got up and ran but was soon tackled and after a struggle was handcuffed.
Police retraced his steps and came across a 12-gauge shotgun, its stock removed, strapped to the outside of a backpack. The gun's safety was off and two rounds were found in its chamber plus a shell from a round that had been fired off. In addition to an assortment of drugs, a further 20 rounds were found in the backpack and in a smaller waist pack.
Bent had originally faced seven charges, led by a count of armed robbery, but it turned out the alleged victim was unable to testify at trial, the court was told. Consequently, Crown counsel accepted guilty please from Bent to one count each of possessing a firearm contrary to an order and possessing a firearm without a licence or registration.
On Monday, Crown counsel argued for four years less credit for time served, or a further 438 days in custody, while defence counsel made a case for time served.
On Tuesday, Provincial Court Judge Martin Nadon settled on a total of 1,240 days in jail less credit of 1,023 days for time served prior to sentencing, leaving 217 days to go.
In March 2019, Bent was sentenced to five years in prison for shooting a man who confronted him and a fellow culprit caught sneaking onto a neighbour's property. At the time of his arrest for the matter at hand Bent had been at large on a Canada-wide warrant after violating his parole conditions. The time he had left to serve on previous offence was subtracted the time served prior to sentencing for the matter at hand.
Nadon outlined Bent's extensive criminal record and called it "horrible" but also noted that he is only 26 years old and worried he risks becoming institutionalized. Furthermore, Nodon noted that Bent "has a plan" for when he gets out that includes attending a residential treatment program for substance abuse. As well, Nadon received a letter detailing the programs available for him at Takla First Nation where he plans to live with his mother.
The terms of Bent's probation includes various conditions, such as a curfew for the first six months. He was also issued a lifetime firearms prohibition and ordered to provide a DNA sample.
Bent's legal troubles are not over yet. He is also among three men facing a count of assault causing bodily harm from an alleged May 11, 2023, incident at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre. A trial on the matter is scheduled for early September and depending on the outcome, he could have additional time to serve over and above the time meted out on Tuesday.
