PICTOU – A Pictou man who was scheduled to have a trial take place Friday on charges of break and enter has changed his pleas to guilty.
Paul Laverne Whynacht, 52, is charged with break and enter into a dwelling house with the intent to commit mischief as well as breach of a court order to stay away from someone. The charges were laid following an incident in New Glasgow on Oct. 14, 2017.
He originally elected Pictou provincial court for trial after entering not guilty pleas, but on the day his trial was expected to start his lawyer said his client wanted to change his pleas to guilty. The court was told that joint recommendation was being put forward by the Crown and the defence, but the sentencing couldn’t proceed because the victim was not present to read her victim impact statement to the court.
This is not a mandatory process, but since the victim checked the box on the form that stated she wanted to be present and read her statement, the sentencing was adjourned until June 13. Whynacht will continue to be remanded in custody until this time.