By Patrick Burles - Lethbridge News Now

Taber man blames addiction issues at sentencing

Apr 21, 2017 | 4:56 PM

LETHBRIDGE — A 37-year old Taber resident is heading to jail after admitting to a long list of crimes that he says were fueled by addiction issues.

The charges against Andrew George Blasetti included fraud, theft, mischief and assault causing bodily harm.

In the most serious incident, Blasetti attacked a man while he was walking along the 5000 block of 56 Avenue in Taber, around 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 16, 2017. Blasetti struck the victim twice in the face with what was believed to have been a flashlight, then as the man tried to run, Blasetti chased him down and continued to strike him. The Crown stated that it was part of a dispute between the two men, but that the attack was unprovoked.

As a result of the incident, the victim suffered a fractured jaw, which required minor surgery to repair.

The fraud charges against Blasetti were for cashing cheques that he had forged from his sister and his wife’s grandparents. While he has repaid his sister the $1100 he took, the Crown noted that Blasetti still owes Scotia Bank $2790, after they reimbursed his in-laws.

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Blasetti also admitted to stealing gas and other items from three convenience stores – all of which he has since repaid – as well as breaking into a someone’s backyard and their shed.

Defence lawyer Darcy Shurtz explained that after a number of run-ins with the law in the past, Blasetti sought treatment for addiction issues and managed to clean-up his life, with no incidents between 2011 and 2016. Shurtz noted that those issues re-emerged last year, and that Blasetti does want to get help again.

After hearing the facts and receiving a joint sentencing submission from the Crown and defence, the judge agreed to give Blasetti 240 days in jail, one year of probation and ordered him to repay Scotia Bank.

With credit for time already spent in custody, Blasetti has 132 days left on his sentence.