A provincial court judge in Prince George gave a man a suspended sentence and 12 months probation for spitting at a grocery store security guard.
Ashlee Pobbloe Joseph, 47, pleaded guilty Feb. 26 to assaulting a loss prevention officer on Aug. 15, 2024 at Buy-Low Foods in Parkwood Place.
Court heard that the loss prevention officer called Prince George RCMP after 8 p.m. following his unsuccessfull request for Joseph, who appeared heavily intoxicated, to leave the store. Joseph had been sitting near the exit door, where he said he was waiting for family.
While the man was on the phone with RCMP, Joseph spat at him and ran away.
Court heard Joseph’s saliva landed on the loss prevention officer’s pants, not his face, eyes or mouth. While the victim did not feel unsafe, he said he felt disrespected and had to launder his clothes.
Judge Peter McDermick’s conditions for Joseph include apologizing to the loss prevention officer in a manner as directed by a probation officer.
McDermick said the Lake Babine Nation member was raised in foster care and struggled with alcoholism. His only prior conviction was for uttering threats in 2003.
