Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Teen sentenced to more jail time for 'Bonnie and Clyde' crime spree
WINNIPEG - A Winnipeg teen who videotaped her month-long crime spree across the Prairies has been ordered to spend more time behind bars.
The 16-year-old girl – who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act – was seeking immediate release after spending eight months in pre-trial custody. But provincial court Judge Rocky Pollack said Wednesday further punishment is needed for what justice officials say was one of the most brazen cases in recent memory.
He ordered the girl to spend another eight months in jail, followed by four months of community supervision.
"You have shown little strength when it comes to saying no to criminal behavior," said Pollack.
Her 19-year-old former boyfriend, Matthew Martens, was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for his role in the crimes.
The pair pleaded guilty to dozens of offences that put numerous lives at risk and left a trail of damage in their wake. They admitted stealing vehicles, gas and property -- and documenting many of the crimes through photographs and videos taken by the girl.
The images show the couple -- whom some justice officials have dubbed "Bonnie and Clyde" -- taunting police, drinking and driving, boasting to their friends and celebrating their accomplishments by dancing and making out on the top of stolen vehicles.
The August to September 2009 rampage resulted in multiple counts of auto theft and mischief, plus possession of stolen property and dangerous driving stemming from several high-speed chases with police in Manitoba and Saskatchewan that had to be aborted because of the risk to the public.
Some of the "highlights" of their crimes included burning a Hummer they stole just outside Winnipeg, nearly mowing down a vehicle owner who tried to interrupt a theft in eastern Saskatchewan and scrawling lyrics to a crude "rap song" over the interior of another car they left behind to be found by police.
The Crown was seeking the maximum youth sentence of two years behind bars for the girl, who has a long history of similar property offences and was on probation at the time. At her sentencing hearing, her lawyer claimed Martens had "manipulated" her into going along for the ride.
Manitoba Public Insurance filed a $53,000 lawsuit against the pair earlier this week for damage caused during their spree. The male co-accused, who is an adult, has been sentenced to the equivalent of five years behind bars — three years in jail plus double-time credit for 12 months already served.
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