Lincoln man gets time served for mini-home fire
Jacob Roger Basque, 31, originally accused by RCMP accused of arson, pleaded guilty to lesser mischief charge in provincial court Wednesday
A mentally unwell man charged for torching the Lincoln mini-home his mother had bought for him admitted Wednesday to a lesser offence, earning him a sentence of time served.
Jacob Roger Basque, 31, formerly of Thomas Court in Lincoln, was scheduled to stand trial in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday for arson.
The charge stemmed from a Sept. 12 fire at a mini-home owned by his mother, Brenda Basque.
However, defence lawyer Steve McNair said he and the prosecutor had resolved the matter, negating the need for a trial.
Basque pleaded guilty to the lesser, included charge of mischief causing damage to property.
Crown prosecutor Rodney Jordan said RCMP officers were dispatched to Thomas Court the afternoon of Sept. 12 after receiving a 911 call from Brenda Basque that her son Jacob was threatening to harm himself.
Upon arrival, court heard, police found a fire in progress at a mini-home, and firefighters were on the scene as well.
The investigation revealed Brenda Basque had received a text from her son in which he lamented his lot in life, “and if it goes on like this, he would hang himself,” Jordan said.
She contacted a mobile crisis unit, the prosecutor said, and she met social workers with the unit at the mini-home.
“The mini-home was in her name, and Mr. Basque was staying there,” he said, noting the defendant was on disability and was of limited means.
Firefighters said the blaze started in the back bedroom, Jordan said, and Basque later told police he’d started it.
“He admitted he burned holes in the mattress with a torch,” the prosecutor said, noting the fire got out of control.
“He said he wasn’t doing great at the time.”
Brenda Basque told police her son had been diagnosed with serious mental-health issues at the age of 15, and he’d been in treatment regularly for many years.
Police arrested Jacob Basque under the Mental Health Act and took him to hospital, Jordan said.
He said Basque has a prior criminal record that appears to flow from two factors: mental illness and illicit drug use.
“That can be a pretty problematic combination,” said Judge Scott Brittain.
Jordan said Basque had been in custody since his arrest last fall, and he’d served 10 months on remand.
He and McNair offered a joint recommendation on sentence: 15 months in jail - essentially, the time Basque had already served once the customary 1½-to-one remand credit is applied.
“Here, there was an underlying mental-health issue,” the prosecutor said.
“This was very much a crisis moment for Mr. Basque,” McNair said, noting the recommendation was well within the established range for such sentences for mischief.
Brenda Basque was present for Wednesday’s proceedings, and the lawyers pointed out she’s quite supportive of her son and efforts to get him treatment for his mental illness.
Basque said he doesn’t want anything more to do with drugs.
“I really plan on fixing myself up and getting a job,” he said.
Brittain said it’s clear Basque has stabilized since the events of Sept. 12.
“It appears you’re in a lot better place today than you were in September of last year,” he said.
The judge said the offender should be thankful his mother continues to support him, as such supports are vital for people in his position.
Brittain imposed the recommended sentence, noting Basque has already served that time.
He also placed him on probation for six months, during which he’s to be of good behaviour toward his mother.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
Sad. So mentally ill people in our world. Has it always been this way and we just didn't notice or is it because the world has become so chaotic?