CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A P.E.I. man who sold about 500 collectible cards with an accomplice and was caught on video picking door locks at an apartment building was sentenced recently to 30 days in jail.
Justin James Reynolds, 35, appeared before Judge John Douglas in provincial court by video from the Provincial Correctional Centre where he has been in custody for several months on other offences.
Reynolds’s case proceeded with the lawyers involved taking part by phone as the courts continue to implement public health measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain).
During a previous appearance, the court heard Reynolds and a woman sold about 500 Magic: The Gathering cards to a Charlottetown store on Dec. 28, 2019.
Those cards were reported stolen from a store nearby.
In an unrelated incident, Reynolds and the same woman went to an apartment building on Nov. 2 where they were caught on video using a screwdriver to pick door locks.
They went into laundry rooms both times at the building.
During the most recent appearance, Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald told the court sentencing on those matters was adjourned to see how Reynolds did while on an intermittent sentence from other offences.
Those offences included escaping lawful custody after leaving his unlocked cell with another inmate at the courthouse in Charlottetown.
Reynolds and Michael Edward Perry then forced their way out of the building through a door that was magnetically locked.
The court heard Reynolds didn’t report to the jail as required after his sentencing in February and was later given a further 60 days for being unlawfully at large on his intermittent sentence.
Reynolds addressed the court by video and read from a letter he said he prepared to explain his situation.
He apologized for being in front of the court again.
“I was given a chance and I messed it up,” he said.
Before sentencing Reynolds, Douglas said he considered that he gave him a chance the last time.
“I guess I didn’t do you any favours by giving you an intermittent sentence last time Mr. Reynolds,” he said.
The 30 days will be consecutive to any other sentence Reynolds is serving and he will be on probation for one year after his release.