CORNER BROOK, N.L. — A man charged with threatening staff at Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook last August has changed his pleas.
Glen Freake, 41, of Corner Brook made the changes on the uttering threats charge, a charge of threatening to damage or destroy property at the hospital and six charges of failing to comply with a court order during what was to be the start of his trial in provincial court on Wednesday morning.
Freake pleaded guilty to the two charges related to the hospital and to two of the breaches which occurred. The other four breaches were conditionally withdrawn by the Crown.
Freake is hearing impaired and a sign-language interpreter assisted in translating what was being said in the courtroom.
The charges stem from Aug. 16, 2018, when the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary received a complaint from the hospital that Freake had sent emails threatening staff and one included a picture of him holding a gun.
Freake wrote that his plan was to take them out one by one, that he was going to take his weapons and stash them around the hospital so whatever shift they got off there would be payback and if he found these people alone somewhere he would smash their face right in.
He was later arrested at his home and told police he was upset with staff at the hospital because they had discharged him the night before and kicked him out, even though he wanted to continue treatment.
Following a court appearance, he was released from custody on an undertaking that included he have no contact with a named staff member and to stay away from her place of work, the hospital, except to seek medical treatment. The two breaches of that order that Freake pleaded guilty to occurred on Aug. 21, 2018.
On that day police were informed that Freake was at the hospital, on the second floor of Monaghan Hall, and causing a scene.
He was charged with failing to comply with the undertaking by not keeping the peace and being of good behaviour and by contacting the staff member at the hospital.
Freake’s sentencing hearing will take place on Aug. 12.
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