A Sarnia man picked up his first criminal convictions and was ordered to pay about $450 to Sarnia police after jumping on a cruiser and smashing his windshield while drunk.
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An officer left their cruiser in a parking lot near Confederation Street and Indian Road about 3:30 pm on May 30, 2022. When the officer returned a short time later, the windshield had been smashed out, police said at the time.
Video surveillance caught a man, later identified as Aiden Newman, 20, of Sarnia, jumping onto the hood and kicking the windshield out. He recorded the incident on his cellphone, police added.
Newman’s description was radioed to officers in the area and he was arrested. He smelled like alcohol and appeared highly intoxicated when arrested, they added. He was charged with mischief under $5,000 and public intoxication.
More than two years later, Newman, now 23, pleaded guilty to mischief – the second charge was dropped – and a second count of mischief under $5,000 and assault in two other incidents. He drew a suspended sentence, along with one year of probation, and was ordered to pay $452 in restitution to police.
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Newman had been offered a conditional discharge by the Crown two years ago, but that was rescinded because he took too long to deal with the case and picked up other charges in Sarnia and Chatham, defense lawyer James Guggisberg recalled.
“I would like to think that Aiden understands that the consequences of not dealing with these in a timely fashion really have been to his detriment,” he said.
Justice Deborah Austin said the suspended sentence was appropriate.
Guggisberg also said alcohol was a consistent thread throughout all the incidents and he suggested his client get counseling.
Newman, who works for a moving company, declined a chance to speak.
The judge said Newman’s future depends on how he addresses his issues with alcohol.
“Because clearly you become a different person and you make bad and obnoxious and criminal choices when you’re drunk,” she said.
Newman is still in custody on charges in Chatham, records show. He was to appear in court there Friday.
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