A Sault man with a criminal record reaching back more than 20 years has received a sentence of time served in relation to his most recent charges of auto theft and weapons breaches.
Jordan Forbes, age 40, appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice last week, charged with theft of a motor vehicle and a weapons breach, with a second weapons breach charge from another date.
Forbes pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of taking a vehicle without consent, which his counsel Don Orazietti referred to colloquially as joyriding, and the two weapons breaches against him.
On the morning of April 8, 2023, the date of that charge, Forbes was found by Sault Police asleep behind the wheel of a running 2015 Dodge Journey in the area of Canal Drive.
While exiting the vehicle, police observed a black handgun in a holster in the lower pocket of the drive’s side door. It was later determined to be a replica Beretta.
At the time, Forbes was under multiple orders to not be in possession of any weapon, including replicas. One of those orders is a lifetime ban.
Later that same day, the vehicle Forbes was found in was reported stolen by its owner.
Then, on Dec. 1, 2023, a parole officer visited the address Forbes was staying at when informed he was in possession of what appeared to be a black revolver with bullets in the chamber.
That information was offered to the parole by Forbe’s girlfriend, who was also in the courtroom in support of him on Tuesday.
Police located Forbes that day riding a blue bicycle between the pawn shop and bus terminal on Queen Street East and found him to be in possession of a black imitation revolver powered by a CO2 cartridge that is made to propel BBs.
Justice Andrew Buttazzoni approved a joint submission by defence and the Crown that Forbes should receive a sentence of time served, with two years probation and an order that his DNA be taken.
Orazietti told the court he thinks the release and probation is appropriate for the accused, who recently received a diagnosis and began treatment for a mental health condition.
“There may be some daylight at the end of the tunnel for this 40 year old man,” said Orazietti.
Buttazzoni noted that, considering his long record and multiple breaches, rehabilitation has not been important for Forbes.
“But if there's been a diagnosis made and they can help you, that protects the public as well,” said Buttazzoni.
He noted many people who do seek help with their mental health typically don’t return through the criminal justice system.
“I wish you luck in that regard,” he said.