CLARENVILLE, NL— Anthony Soper has been sentenced to a total of four years, seven months for armed robbery, theft, and breaking conditions of his recognizance.
Judge Paul Noble noted that while rehabilitation of offenders is an important piece of the Canadian criminal justice system, it must yield to the protection of the public from violent criminal acts.
For the armed robbery of the taxi driver in Clarenville on Aug. 10, Soper was sentenced to four years, as well as three months for the breach of recognizance.
For the theft of meat from No Frills grocery store on Aug. 7, Soper was sentenced to two months. For his breach of recognizance, he was sentenced to another two months.
Sentencing is based on a thirty-day month, and must be served consecutively.
Noble noted that Soper did not seem to grasp the seriousness of his offences.
"Listening to Mr. Soper address the court, I was not totally convinced, despite his guilty plea, that he fully grasped the seriousness of this matter (or) more importantly, fully accept responsibility for his actions.
"He says he has a drug problem, which I accept … he says that rehab works, but that he's been surrounded by negativity in prison, and a lack of support from the community. He says that he is tired of his criminal exploits, and is looking for a fresh start. But unfortunately, the reality is that he has had many fresh starts, all with the same ending,"
Soper must also submit to a DNA order, a life long firearms prohibition, and numerous victim surfeit charges.
The time the Soper has already spent in custody will be credited towards his sentence.
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