PRINCE ALBERT — A man accused of pointing a firearm at two people, and leaving them lost and injured in a forest in January, has been sentenced to time served.
Justin Redman Charles, 31, had been scheduled for trial on June 11, but instead, he pleaded guilty to assault and driving while prohibited. He was given one day time served on each count and an 18-month driving prohibition.
All of the weapons-related charges against Charles were withdrawn at the conclusion of sentencing. They include pointing a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, discharging a firearm while being reckless, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and possession of a firearm, weapon, device, or ammunition in a motor vehicle.
Charles had been in custody since his arrest on Jan. 22 after Prince Albert Police Service officers located him at a home in the city. He had been wanted by Prince Albert RCMP in connection with an incident in the RM of Buckland on Jan. 7.
Police were called around 3 a.m. on Jan. 7 after receiving a report that a man was being chased by someone with a weapon. According to RCMP, an altercation had taken place between two men and a woman in a vehicle, during which Charles allegedly assaulted the others. Police say he took them into a forested area, pointed a firearm at them, and pulled the trigger. The gun didn’t fire, and the victims fled deeper into the woods, becoming lost.
Officers used a drone to search the area and found the male victim. Officers guided him out using the drone’s spotlight and verbal instructions over the phone. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police Dog Services and ground search teams, supported by the drone’s aerial view, later found the female victim inside an SUV in a remote area. Officers reached her by snowmobile and took her to a waiting ambulance. She was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
