Fredericton man faces shoplifting, knife charges
Brett Edward Francis, 43, says he needs time to consult counsel on December charges
A Fredericton man accused of theft and knife-possession charges will be back in court next month to enter pleas after asking for an adjournment Monday to seek legal counsel.
Brett Edward Francis, 43, of Regent Street, appeared in person in Fredericton provincial court in custody Monday to answer to four charges alleging offences last month.
He’s accused of stealing merchandise from Bootlegger, possessing a weapon (a knife) for the purpose of committing an offence, obstructing Fredericton police Const. Kristen Main in the execution of her duties and breaching his probation, all in Fredericton on Dec. 9.
Judge Natalie LeBlanc said the court file indicated Francis wasn’t in custody on those charges, and the defendant confirmed he’s been detained on other counts out of the Saint John area.
Duty counsel Michael Mallory said Francis was seeking time to retain defence counsel before pleading to the charges.
LeBlanc set the case over to Feb. 20 for pleas.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.