A Drumheller man pleaded guilty to uttering threats after an altercation at a local grocery store.
Richard Wheeler, 60, appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, March 24 to make his plea. He maintained a not-guilty plea to assault with a weapon, but plead guilty to uttering threats.
The court heard how on August 24, 2022, Dale Goulder, manager at Freson Bros. confronted Wheeler at the store regarding a prior incident where it was believed Wheeler had shoplifted. When confronted, Wheeler brandished a knife and threatened Goulder.
The altercation was captured on store security cameras.
Defence for Wheeler told the court on a previous day he had misplaced his wallet and had dumped out his backpack searching for it.
When he was putting his items back into his backpack, it was perceived he was stealing.
On the day of the altercation, he said he was confronted by four other people.
Wheeler was given a suspended sentence with 12 months probation.
