A judge is giving a young P.E.I. woman time to show she is serious about turning her life around – and possibly avoid spending time in jail.
Provincial court judge Nancy Orr adjourned 20-year-old Haley May Dawn Doiron’s case to Feb. 24 for sentencing.
Orr told Doiron if she shows progress over that period, she could face a less serious sentence and perhaps skirt jail completely.
Doiron pleaded guilty to committing theft on Aug. 21 in Stratford.
A pre-sentence report detailed a troubling path that started with drug use beginning at age 14. Doiron’s behaviour deteriorated. She quit school. Work experience has been described as “spotty”.
Trouble with the law became a fairly regular occurrence, and Doiron showed little interest in dealing with her addictions.
“She is going to kill herself if she keeps going in this direction," Crown attorney Lisa Goulden told the court.
Defence lawyer Justin Milne made an impassioned plea to the judge to allow Doiron the opportunity to emerge from a troubling period stretching over a handful of years.
Milne describes his client as a capable, bright person looking to get her life together.
“Everyone in this court room wants to see her do well," he said.
Doiron stood in court, saying she wanted to apologize to her victims. She also noted she is currently not using any illegal substances.
“I’m trying to do better with my life,’’ she told the court. “It’s time to change."
Orr noted Doiron has shunned services and programs available to her in the past.
Goulden noted Doiron was “talking the talk" in court and was willing to see if the woman was willing to “walk the walk”.
Orr adjourned sentencing for close to two months to give Doiron the opportunity to show she is truly serious about leaving her troubled past behind.
“So, Miss Doiron, if you want to make changes, it is not going to be easy," said Orr. “If you have any problems, ask for help."
Doiron will be under electronic supervision while on a release order up until her sentencing. She must also reside with her parents, abide by a curfew and refrain from having any contact with her recent co-conspirators in crime.
