Three men trying to steal a victim’s prescription painkillers with a machete were convicted in Sarnia court.

Jonathan Patrick Pike, 25, of Sarnia, pleaded guilty Wednesday to the Sept. 19, 2014 attempted theft and assault resulting in a 60-day jail sentence.

Michael Derrick Williams, 29, of Sarnia, pleaded guilty to carrying a weapon, threatening to kill a dog, theft and resisting police resulting in a nine-month jail sentence.

Nicholas Joseph Arsenault, 18, of Sarnia, pleaded guilty to carrying a weapon resulting in 18 months probation.

During the sentencing, Justice Deborah Austin said the illegal use of legal drugs has created huge addiction problems in the community.

On Sept. 19, Arsenault, who was carrying a machete, had been invited into the victim’s home in Sarnia.

Assistant crown attorney Nick Cake said the victim is prescribed painkillers for a leg injury and other people’s awareness of the pills has caused the victim trouble in the past.

Williams, who was known to the victim, knocked on his door and was allowed inside. Pike, who was not known by the victim, followed Williams inside.

Williams took the machete from Arsenault and told the victim they were there to get his pills.

Unless he got the pills, Williams said he would kill the victim’s dog.

The victim’s wife, who heard the commotion, called the police from inside a locked bathroom.

Meanwhile, Pike pushed the victim to the floor before the victim’s wife announces the police are coming and the trio flees.

On his way out, Williams stole three cheesecakes from the victim’s refrigerator.

A police officer spotted Williams fleeing the scene on a bicycle, away from the victim’s dog who chased him.

Williams was stopped, but he refused to obey the officer’s command. Williams was pepper sprayed but the struggle continued.

The victim’s dog ended up jumping up on the officer and licking him during the struggle.

The Crown and defence lawyers presented joint sentencing submissions for all three men.

Pike’s 60-day sentence that had been served in pre-sentence custody will be followed by 18 months of probation when he must stay away from the victims and take counselling.

Pike’s criminal record includes theft, drug possession, possession of stolen property and court-order violations.

Williams nine-month sentence includes the equivalent 255 days of pre-sentence custody and will be followed by 18 months of probation.

Williams’ criminal record includes robbery and assault-related offences.

Arsenault had no criminal record and was placed on 18 months probation when he must stay away from the victims and drugs while taking counselling.

Weapons bans were imposed on all three men and they must give police DNA samples.

neil.bowen@sunmedia.ca

​