A Prince George man was sentenced Dec. 16 to one year of curfew followed by two years of probation after he pleaded guilty in Provincial Court to assault, threats and firearm storage charges.
Prince George RCMP arrested Aaron Robert Jonathan Young, 46, on July 31, 2023 after neighbours complained that he was making threats and attempting to gain entry to their residence. The Emergency Response Team was called in to assist and a search warrant obtained to seize a .30-06 rifle in Young’s bedroom. An RCMP officer heard Young make further threats to a neighbour.
“Mr. Young was in a difficult place back on the 31st of July 2023 and his life was marred at that time by substance abuse and that led to some form of psychotic episode,” Judge David Simpkin said.
Court heard that Young’s abuse of alcohol and cocaine was out of control.
Young was in custody until Aug. 9, 2023 and another month later in the year. He was released to a treatment program in the Lower Mainland.
Young pleaded guilty to assault, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, breach of release order and careless storage of a firearm. Crown stayed three breach of release order charges.
For his part, Young apologized to the court “for the time spent on this tumultuous affair. My sincere apologies to all of those that were involved.”
Court heard the status Takla First Nation member was born in Prince George, raised mainly on reserve until age 14 and a victim of abuse. The father of three was educated at University of Northern B.C. and a commercial pilot by trade.
Simpkin agreed with the joint sentencing submission by the Crown and defence for Young, who now lives in Alberta. He must obey the law, have no contact or communication with six people and their immediate families, and remain home between 10 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day for the next year, except to leave for an emergency medical appointment or for employment, with written permission of his sentence supervisor.
Young must report to forensic psychiatric services for assessment and cannot possess firearms, explosives, drugs or alcohol (except prescriptions).
Simpkin said the sentence addresses denunciation, deterrence and rehabilitation, by allowing Young to continue working.
“You’re going to be under supervision, but it’s not the end of the world,” Simpkin said.
Court heard that Young did not have a criminal record at the time of the offences. Last July, he pleaded guilty to three breach of release charges and received a jail sentence of seven days time served.
