ESTEVAN -
A Regina man has pleaded guilty to 16 charges in connection with a string of thefts that occurred in Estevan earlier this year.
Joseph Bananish-Therrien, age 39, was sentenced to one day time served Thursday in Estevan Provincial Court, and was released that day. He had been in custody since April 22, so he spent 137 days in jail, and was given credit for 206 days because he had been in remand.
Bananish-Therrien pleaded guilty to six counts of theft under $5,000, one count of fraud, one count of fraudulently obtaining food or drink, one count of attempted theft and seven counts of violating a probation order.
A number of other charges, including theft under $5,000, fraud and mischief, were stayed.
According to Crown prosecutor Stephen Yussuff, all of the offences happened between early January and Bananish-Therrien's arrest April 22. When Yussuff recapped the offences, he pointed out many of the thefts that occurred were for small amounts.
Legal Aid attorney Jamie Struthers, who represented Bananish-Therrien at the sentencing hearing, pointed out his client had no criminal record until his first conviction at the start of this year. Over the past several years, according to Struthers, Bananish-Therrien went through the break-up of his marriage and developed a drug problem with methamphetamine. Bananish-Therrien has detoxed as he has spent time at the Regina Correctional Centre in the past few months.
"It's a very unfortunate way to detox, but I think maybe the benefit has to be had," said Struthers.
Judge Doug Kovatch told Bananish-Therrien, who was appearing by video, that the man built a "mountain out of a molehill". Bananish-Therrien started 2024 with three minor theft charges and received a conditional discharge. Instead of letting matters rest, he committed a number of thefts and spent more than 100 days in jail.
While Kovatch didn't issue an order for Bananish-Therrien to undergo treatment, the judge encouraged him to seek counselling and professional assistance, and deal with the addiction problem.
"If you continue with the petty theft, you're going to find they're dealt with more seriously and more seriously, and more harshly by the courts as time goes on," said Kovatch.
Bananish-Therrien is scheduled to go to trial on March 11, 2025, for one count each of uttering threats and resisting arrest, and two counts of violating a probation order. Those charges also stem from the incidents earlier this year.
A number of conditions were set with Bananish-Therrien's release as well, including appearing in court when required, having an approved residence, not having any firearms and not contacting those involved in his trial matters.
