Yellowknife man says he robbed cab to buy drugs
Pair to be sentenced Wednesday for robbery
CBC News
Posted: Sep 18, 2012 10:53 AM CT
Last Updated: Sep 18, 2012 12:06 PM CT
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Two men who robbed a cab driver in Yellowknife will find out Wednesday how much jail time they will have to serve.
At their sentencing hearing Monday, Sean Qitsualik and Brent Michael admitted that they called a taxi to the Reddi Mart on Byrne Road on Dec. 3. Michael held a six to seven inch stick to the driver's ribs — not a knife as previously reported — and said "we rob you."
The cabbie gave up $20 to $30 and the men fled. Michael was later found by a police dog, hiding behind a home in Northlands Trailer Park.
Michael said he was high on crack cocaine at the time and they wanted money for drugs.
He said the robbery wasn't planned, but the Crown lawyer argued it was planned since they lured the vulnerable cabbie and had a weapon.
Both men were charged with holding up a second cab that night but the Crown is withdrawing those charges.
Michael, 20, has been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. He has 13 prior convictions including theft and mischief. In a report prepared for the court, his foster mother said if something isn't nailed down, Michael will steal it. But she also said sending him to jail with other criminals could just make him a better criminal.
Qitsualik had no prior record but after he was released for this charge, the 27-year-old was arrested again and convicted of robbing a convenience store.
Qitsualik and Michael both apologized in court for their actions.
Their lawyers asked the judge for a sentence of 14 to 16 months; the Crown wants them to get two to three years in jail.
The judge is expected to give her decision on Wednesday.
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