Denny's robber given statutory release

A man serving a four-year federal prison sentence for the November 2011 armed robbery of a Prince George restaurant has been granted statutory release with special conditions by the Parole Board of Canada.

Joseph Donald West, 31, was issued the release earlier this month after completing two-thirds of his sentence. The remainder of his sentence is to be served in the community under release conditions and a parole officer's supervision.

In addition to a prohibition against consuming, purchasing or possessing drugs or alcohol, West must live in either a community correctional centre or a halfway house and has been denied overnight leave until he has "demonstrated stability and compliance" with the expectations of his parole officer.

West was one of two masked men who entered the Denny's restaurant on East Central Street during the early morning of Nov. 19, 2011, one brandishing a machete, the other a large kitchen knife, and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the till and a waitress before fleeing in a stolen pickup truck.

Less than a month later, West was issued the four-year prison term. Terrence Aaron Abraham was later sentenced to 18 months in provincial jail for his role in the incident.

A parole board report paints a poor picture of West, saying he has been in and out of jail since 1999 and his longest period in the community has been four months, during which he used and sold drugs.

The majority of his convictions are for property offences and breaches of conditions but he also broke a person's arm during one incident and is capable of using violence to get money from a resistant victim, the board noted.

West was described as a first generation residential school survivor who was placed in numerous foster homes and group homes and began using drugs and alcohol at a young age.

He was also described as impulsive and a follower. While no mental health issues have been identified, he has a "low frustration level that has at times led to violent behaviour."

West presents a high risk for violent and general recidivism and despite the fact that he has successfully completed correctional treatment in the past, the gains have been short-lived.

The report did not say where West will spend his statutory release.