Edwards receives global sentence of nine months
The first incident came on November 20, 2010 arising from a dispute Edwards was having with a subtenant in the same house as Edwards. The police were called and found Edwards in an advanced state of intoxication, in breach of probation conditions to which he was bound. When taken to the RCMP detachment, he uttered a threat towards his subtenant.
He pleaded guilty to uttering a threat and being in breach of his probation by not abstaining from alcohol and not keeping the peace.
On January 26 RCMP, after completing surveillance of Edwards’ home, executed a search warrant. Police discovered 4.5 grams of marijuana, and again found him in breach of conditions set out by the court, including being intoxicated with alcohol, having visitors in his home after his curfew and being in contact with a person named in his undertaking that he was not allowed to see.
The court heard of the many struggles Edwards, 30, has had in his life. He has an IQ of just 62 and spent many years as a youth in guardianship and in foster homes. At the age of 15, he began to experiment with drugs and alcohol and today is addicted to marijuana. His family relocated Edwards to Drumheller in hopes he could find a new peer group, but because of his diminished capacity he is easily led by those wanting to take advantage.
Edwards’ father spoke to the court and said it was probably in his son’s best interest not to continue to live in Drumheller, and he will be looking for a new start.
Judge P.M. McIlhargey sentenced Edwards to four and half months for the charges stemming from November 2010, and four and half months for the charges stemming from the January 26 arrest. Given credit for the time Edwards has served awaiting his day in court, he has eight months and 13 days remaining to serve.
