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Crime
Vernon child sexual predator gets 4 years in prison
VERNON – A Vernon man who lured girls over the Internet and asked them for nude photos is going to spend the next four years in a federal prison. David Clayton Willerth, 40, was sentenced in Vernon Supreme Court Thursday on 18 counts, including luring children with a computer and arranging a sexual offense against...
Investigation of alleged assault by Penticton police officer dismissed
PENTICTON - No charges will be laid against a police officer who allegedly assaulted a woman while she was in custody. An investigation conducted by the Independent Investigations Office “concluded there is no substantial likelihood that the officer … would be convicted of any offences arising from the circumstances.” In April 2014, an officer was...
City and RCMP open to policy changes following jury recommendations
PENTICTON - The City and RCMP are actively considering implementation of recommendations made by a jury following a coroner’s inquest into the death of 30-year-old Steven J. Scott who died in police custody two years ago. The RCMP have already implemented some changes after Scott’s death that the jury also recommended be made. One suggestion...
Coroner’s inquest begins for man who died in holding cells
PENTICTON - A B.C. Coroners inquest into the death of a Penticton man who died in RCMP cells two years ago heard this morning the man had diabetes. The inquest, which began Monday at the Penticton law courts before coroner Larry Marzinzik will likely take the remainder of the week. Steven Joseph Scott, 30, died...
Officer may have overlooked dead prisoner in early morning checks
PENTICTON - Video surveilance footage from the holding cell in which Steven J. Scott died two years ago shows he was possibly dead during early-morning checks. The coroner’s inquest for Steven Joseph Scott, a 30-year-old man who died in a Penticton RCMP detachment cell in August 2012 continued today with testimony from the watch commander...
Cause of in-custody death related to alcohol withdrawal: Pathologist
PENTICTON - The cause of death of Steven J. Scott, who died in a cell at the Penticton RCMP detachment two years ago, was determined to be a breathing problem related to alcohol withdrawal. Dr. William R. Currie, a now-retired pathologist at the Penticton Regional Hospital performed the autopsy of Scott, 30, who was found...
Jury finds death accidental, makes recommendations
'STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION CENTRE IN THE SOUTH OKANAGAN' PENTICTON - The coroner’s inquest on the death of Steven J. Scott who died two years ago while in police custody has ended with recommendations from a five-person jury on how to improve conditions to avoid a similar incident in the future....
CORONER’S INQUEST: Penticton lacking substance abuse resources and police manpower
PENTICTON - The need for more rehabilitation resources and police manpower were the running themes of this morning’s testimonies made during the coroner’s inquest on the death of Steven J. Scott who died in a cell at the Penticton RCMP detachment two years ago. Patricia Gartner, a social worker at the Penticton Regional Hospital oversaw...
Learn what you can do to prevent crime in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS – Local RCMP officers along with members from other crime prevention agencies in the City will host a “meet and greet” event Wednesday afternoon to honour National Crime Prevention Week. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with members from RCMP auxiliary, Block Watch, Bylaws, the Community Safety Unit, Crime Stoppers, Graffiti Task Force,...
Here’s your second chance to learn about a position with the justice department
OKANAGAN - Three additional orientation sessions have been scheduled for Okanagan residents interested in one of 240 correctional officer positions at the new Okanagan Correctional Centre set to open in Oliver in 2016. The original sessions were well-received and due to high-demand additional sessions have been scheduled throughout November. The first will be held at...
Vandalized cafe may be linked to municipal election
OLIVER - An Oliver cafe owner says he won’t take election signs down, even after his business was vandalized in what appears to be anti-election behaviour. John Micka, owner of Sunshine Cafe in Oliver has to replace his cafe-front window after it was shot at by a pellet gun. The shot left several small holes...
Considering a career in corrections? Here’s your chance to get into the industry
PENTICTON - B.C. Corrections is considering hosting additional information sessions for people interested in a career with the justice system. The Justice Institute and B.C. Corrections received a strong turnout to the orientation sessions held throughout the South Okanagan for anyone interested in becoming a corrections officers at the Okanagan Correctional Centre set to open...
Repeat sex offender sent back to jail
PENTICTON - A Keremeos man and repeat sex offender will spend five years in jail after pleading guilty to sexually touching a minor. Helge E. Wilson, 61, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching by a minor after a series of incidents that took place between April and May 2013....
Repeat sex offender sent back to jail
PENTICTON - A Keremeos man and repeat sex offender will spend five years in jail after pleading guilty to sexually touching a minor. Helge E. Wilson, 61, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching by a minor after a series of incidents that took place between April and May 2013....
Body found in abandoned shed
PENTICTON - The body of a deceased male was found in an abandoned shed behind Super Save Gas in Penticton Monday. The shed is located in a field off Green Mountain Road, on Penticton Indian Band land. RCMP say the body appeared to have been there for several days, however the death is not being...