Despite a lengthy criminal record and the theft of thousands of dollars in donations and artwork, a Bracebridge man has managed to avoid jail time.
Kyle Gillard, 38, recently appeared in a Bracebridge courtroom for sentencing stemming from a break and enter and theft that occurred June 2, 2023.
Court heard that on that day at approximately 5:25 am, Gillard smashed through the drywall in the lobby of the Albion apartment buildings in Gravenhurst, which are adjacent to the Arts at the Albion. Gillard then entered the art gallery and stole over $5,000 worth of merchandise and donations collected for the Red Cross, court heard.
In total, the gallery owners put their losses at more than $9,000.
Court heard Gillard has an extensive criminal record.
In August of 2024, a joint proposal was put forward for six months of house arrest and three months under curfew. The proposal included restitution of $3,600, as the defence stated that was all money Gillard would be able to pay back.
At that time Justice Edward Carleton balked at the idea of Gillard being “self-regulated” under house arrest. He pointed out Gillard has a lengthy record and has breached probation orders many times.
During his most recent appearance, Carleton said ordinarily Gillard “would be a candidate for a considerable jail sentence.”
However, he ultimately sentenced Gillard to nine months of house arrest, three months under curfew, $3,600 in restitution and 18 months probation.
Something is drastically wrong with our courts in Muskoka, we are seeing a pattern here of releasing repeat offenders with little regard to the damage and hurt they have inflicted on others. The mental anguish of being a victim lasts for a lifetime for some people and these judges living in their sheltered world don’t seem to get it. These people need a mandatory treatment program and/or incarceration in specialised facilities that don’t just teach them new tricks. That facts are here to see, these people do this over and over, sometimes while still under orders. This isn’t working.
Perhaps we need to see the name of the judges published as well so we may ask for some kind of oversize into the decisions? It is our community after all.
No Jail time and comes out over $5,000.00 ahead. Hmmm, I guess crime does pay.
With so many crazy people on the loose this day and age, maybe the jails are full to overflowing !!!
What happened to “ if you do the crime , you do the time.” Where is the respect for our laws and our law enforcement? If we don’t start putting people in jail for their crimes then we are going to be like the United States where crime is everywhere and nobody goes to jail. There needs to be more punishment for young offenders. They are getting away with everything. Get tougher on crime!
It appears to me that the judge didn’t take into consideration the effect the loss of the stolen donations would have on the charities affected by the thefts.
It just seems to get more and more ridicluos. What possible reason would the judge have to not send this person to jail? Is this inadequate reporting? I keep thinking there must be other factors that are not mentioned in these short articles – or am I wrong?
Ludicrous. Time for new judges who have a grasp on reality !
What a joke of a sentence. You can be sure he will be back before the court soon.
The Justice system should be ashamed of themselves.
With a criminal record like that he deserves to be placed back on the streets.
Why not an all expense paid trip to Disneyland while on probation.
The OPP catch them, the Judge sets them free.
The OPP must wonder why they even bother to make an arrest.