45 days in jail for ice-cream mischief at childcare centre

By Medicine Hat News on September 12, 2024.

@MedicineHatNews

A man who wandered into a Medicine Hat daycare centre, then smashed a window when he was turned away will be jailed for 45 days, Court of Justice heard Wednesday.

MacKenzie Hart, 34, pleaded guilty to mischief stemming from a July 15 incident at a childcare centre in central Medicine Hat.

Prosecutors say on that day the man entered through a side door and made his way to an office where he asked a staff member for a lighter or pack of matches.

At the time he was eating from a tub of ice cream with a spoon, and after leaving the building, staff heard a loud bang.

They say the pail was thrown through a window into a room where children and staff members were present.

Justice Mark Mastel said the 45-day sentence suggested by the Crown and duty counsel lawyers is on the high side for a simple mischief, but “the circumstances are particularly aggravating.”

Duty council said Hart suffers from several mental health issues and there was no planning or particular malice involved.

Hart is currently in custody on different charges, so no credit for time served will be applied to the sentence determined on Wednesday.

He will also be required to pay $1,000 in restitution for repairing the window.

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