Pubdate: Wed, 19 Oct 2005
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Sarah Sacheli, Windsor Star
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

ADDICT CALLED 'DANGER TO SOCIETY'

Man's Record Includes 11 Convictions Since 2000

A 25-year-old crack addict pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing stolen 
property taken during a three-day crime spree that included a carjacking 
and a purse snatching.

Robert Patrick Neill, 24, was sentenced to one more day in jail in addition 
to the seven months he has already spent in custody. Ontario court Justice 
Micheline Rawlins, giving Neill two-for-one credit for the time served 
since his March 20 arrest, also sentenced the man to two years of probation.

But Neill could not be released, his lawyer told Rawlins. He is being held 
on other theft-related charges.

With a criminal record that includes 11 convictions since 2000 for crimes 
including armed robbery, theft, break and enter and possession of stolen 
property, Neill is a "danger to society," Rawlins said. "Things are going 
to change one way or another," she said.

"You're getting close to a dangerous offender application. Do you know what 
that means? That means you spend the rest of your life in jail."

Neill was sentenced to 75 days in jail last year for theft. In 2003, he was 
convicted in London of armed robbery. His lawyer added that in 2002, he was 
twice convicted of offences in London, and sentenced to 60 days in jail for 
possession of stolen property and 30 days for theft.

"You're consistent," said Rawlins, leafing through his criminal record.

On March 17, Nancy Cheng was parking her 1994 Volkswagen Jetta on Wyandotte 
Street when a white male jumped in the passenger side and forced her out of 
the car. He drove off, taking Cheng's purse which contained $690 in cash.

Since the thief had the woman's keys and her identification, Cheng was 
forced to change the locks at her house. She feared the man, who now knew 
where she lived, would rob her again.

The crime that led to Neill's arrest was a purse snatching on Ottawa Street 
two days later. Wendy King had just made a bank deposit for the retail 
store where she works when a man approached her as she returned to her car. 
Forcing open the driver's door and reaching across her, he grabbed the 
purse she had tossed to the floor on the passenger side of the car.

In an interview after Neill's sentencing, King said she got into a 
tug-of-war with her assailant. The purse strap broke and the robber made 
off with the booty, but she managed to record the licence plate of his 
black Volkswagen Jetta as he sped away.

PURSUIT ENSUED

The next day, a Windsor police officer spotted the stolen car. A pursuit 
ensued. Two males ditched the car on Bruce Avenue and fled on foot. With 
the help of a tracking dog, police found the pair in a shed at a nearby park.

When Neill was arrested, he had King's change purse.

King and Cheng were in court Tuesday, prepared to testify at Neill's 
preliminary hearing. King said she was relieved Neill pleaded guilty instead.

Since neither woman could identify Neill as their assailant, the Crown 
dropped two robbery charges against him. Neill pleaded guilty to a charge 
of possession of stolen property worth over $5,000 related to the 
carjacking and a charge of possession under $5,000 related to the purse 
snatching.

The judge ordered Neill to repay the $690 he stole from Cheng. Court heard 
Neill has no job or income, but may be able to get the money from his 
grandparents who raised him in Chatham.

The judge ordered Neill to report to a probation officer monthly upon his 
release. She also ordered him to take counselling for what was described as 
"a crack cocaine problem."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D