Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order, Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm, Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, Pointing a firearm, Resisting or obstructing a peace officer
R. v. J.R.L.
A publication ban applies. The offender is not named.
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
The offender pleaded guilty to seven offences, including possession of a loaded restricted firearm, pointing a firearm, uttering threats and possessing a firearm while prohibited, arising from two confrontations in downtown Kelowna in July 2021. The Crown and defence jointly proposed four years and nine months. Justice Hardwick accepted the joint submission, imposing four years plus nine months consecutive, all concurrent to a life sentence the offender was already serving for a later second degree murder.
In the judge's words
1I will not read them into the record for the purposes of these reasons for judgment, but I am satisfied that they support the joint submission that is being made by counsel in these circumstances.
The record
- Convicted of
- Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm (CC 95(1))
- Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order (CC 117.01(1))
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (CC 88)
- Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm (CC 94(1))
- Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm (CC 264.1(1)(a))
- Pointing a firearm (CC 87)
- Resisting or obstructing a peace officer (CC 129(a))
- Prior convictions
- Not recorded
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- 4 years and 9 months in custody1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: D. Grabavac
Defence: A. Willox
Sources
- R. v. J.R.L., 2025 BCSC 1303 Court decision, CanLII, March 14, 2025
[14] On this basis, the Crown and the defence pose that a fit and appropriate sentence in the circumstances is a total sentence of four years and nine months broken down as follows:
[14] On this basis, the Crown and the defence pose that a fit and appropriate sentence in the circumstances is a total sentence of four years and nine months broken down as follows:
[28] … I will not read them into the record for the purposes of these reasons for judgment, but I am satisfied that they support the joint submission that is being made by counsel in these circumstances.
[31] As it relates to Count 1, which is the offence contrary to s. 95 of the Criminal Code, I am sentencing you to four years in custody concurrent to your second degree murder conviction. … [34] As it relates to Count 4, which is the possession of the firearm contrary to s. 117.01(1) of the Criminal Code, I am sentencing you to nine months consecutive to Count 1 on this Indictment.
- R. v. J.R.L., 2025 BCSC 1303 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia