A man who disguised himself and used a knife to rob an Enderby business in 2012 will remain in jail.
Justice Donegan sentenced Donny Glen Neigum, 42, in Kamloops Supreme Court to three years in prison for robbing the Enderby Liquor Store at knifepoint in the late evening hours of Dec. 29, 2012.
Neigum received 40 months in jail for count one, armed robbery, and two years for count two, to be served concurrently, for having his face masked with intent to committ an indictable offence.
He was given credit for four months time served.
Donegan said the purpose of the robbery was to obtain money to help feed Neigum’s drug addiction.
“In (committing the robbery), he brandished a knife, pushing the dull end of that knife into the victim’s (store employee) body,” said Donegan.
“In perpetrating this robbery, Mr. Neigum had his face covered with a scarf and pulled his hoodie down low, so that the only exposed portion of his face was his eyes.”
Neigum stole money and cigarettes.
The employee gave a victim impact statement stating how the incident has left a negative impact on her life.
“Sometimes I experience an attack (panic) that will last hours,” wrote the employee. “My heart pounds and beats very fast and I feel like I am having a heart attack.
“I have no control over the attack and just let it take its course.”
Court heard how Neigum is an experienced and highly sought after floor and carpet layer, but, upon his release from prison, he will likely not return to the Enderby area due to “negative influences in the community” he wishes to avoid.
Neigum has had a drug problem for 15 years and has a prior criminal record that includes 11 convictions for break-and-enter and seven convictions for theft.
Crown counsel had sought a prison term of three-to-five years while defence argued for 28 months less time served.
“Mr. Neigum used a high level of violence on a vulnerable victim,” said Donegan.
“However, I do not lose sight of rehabilitation and do give it some emphasis.
“Mr. Neigum does have support. He does have a plan and it cannot be said that his prospects of rehabilitation are minimal. He does have prospects.”
