A Drumheller woman charged with the robbery of S&S News pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of wearing a face mask this past Friday in Drumheller court.
Roberta Jean Simmonds, 43, is now facing one year incarceration (minus 96 days already served in custody) plus three years probation.
Many of Simmonds friends and co-workers from the Salvation Army came out to show their support.
According to an agreed statement of facts, on April 19, at roughly 9:30 p.m., a lone female entered S&S News wearing a black hoodie with her face concealed.
She faked holding a concealed gun in her sleeve, pointed her arm at the clerk and demanded money. Afterwards, she left the store, got on a bike, rode to the parking lot of Reptile World, ditched the bike, and ran to an apartment near the DARTS office.
The clerk followed and phoned the Drumheller RCMP, who then arrested Simmonds. Simmonds denied having a firearm and stated the money had been turned over to someone else to pay a prior debt relating to her past with drugs.
The amount of money could not be established. S&S News reported roughly $1,000 missing, but Simmonds claims the amount was roughly $100.
Both Crown prosecutor Ron Pedersen and defense lawyer Hugh Sommerville agreed Simmonds mental and cognitive abilities, and the unsophisticated nature of the crime were important factors to consider when deciding the sentence.
Furthermore, despite a chaotic past that includes drug use and other run ins with the law, Simmonds has remained out of trouble for at least four years prior, held a job, and volunteered with the Salvation Army.
Sommerville presented letters from both Simmonds’ employer, McDonald’s, and Lieutenant Matt Shiels, in support.
Pedersen argued for up to two years, minus time served, incarceration plus three years probation, while Sommerville argued for one year minus time served and three years probation. Judge Judith Shriar agreed with Sommerville, preferring one year in custody.
As the sentence was being read, Simmonds could be seen in the courtroom holding back and occasionally wiping away tears.
In addition, Simmonds was ordered to write a letter of apology to the owners of S&S News, the Tambars, for her actions.
