Man caught with sword gets house arrest
Published Thursday November 5th, 2009
A Fredericton man found by police carrying a sword and other weapons under a trench coat last year was given a term of house arrest so he can continue with psychiatric and addictions treatments.
Carl Anthony Rose, 32, of 402 Main St., Apt. 4, previously pleaded guilty to an April 15, 2008, charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
Crown prosecutor William Corby said someone reported that a man carrying a sword under his trench coat was walking along a street on the north side of the city.
When officers responded and located Rose, they found that he was carrying more than just a sword.
"He has had a collection of five other knives," Corby said, as well as other weapons, including a pair of brass knuckles made out of wood.
The knives were hidden at various locations on Rose's person, including one in a pouch along his waist.
Corby said that due to Rose's odd behaviour that day, officers took him to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, where he was admitted to the psychiatric unit.
The prosecutor noted Rose has a previous weapons offence, possession of a weapon (a baseball bat) for a dangerous purpose, for which he received a one-month conditional sentence.
Corby said Rose had graduated to a sentence of time behind bars.
"I realize he may have some psychiatric problems, but nothing to exempt him from criminal responsibility," he said.
Defence lawyer Rick Cove said Rose's pre-sentence report indicates he's made great strides since the offence in dealing with his mental-health issues and addiction problem.
"Obviously, there is a history of drug abuse," Cove said, but it also seems clear that Rose was self-medicating.
Now he's on prescribed medication and in the methadone treatment program and doing well, the defence lawyer said.
"We're dealing with someone who is improving," Cove said, warning that if his client were jailed, it would be to his detriment.
The defence asked for another conditional sentence in this case.
Judge Mary Jane Richards granted the request.
"I don't have any concern for the safety of the public," she said.
She imposed a conditional sentence of eight months.
During that time, Rose will remain under house arrest except for work, treatment appointments, pharmacy visits and other periods approved by his probation officer, the judge ordered.
He must also abstain from the possession and consumption of alcohol and non-prescribed drugs during that time and allow probation officers to enter his home to ensure compliance.
Richards also placed him on probation for 12 months and ordered him to pay a victim-fine surcharge of $100.
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