'Unacceptable' MLA pleads with Provincial Court Judge to do his job concerning violent offender's bail hearing

DAWSON CREEK -- In a rare occurrence a Member of the Legislative Assembly is urging a Provincial Court Judge to do his job and to protect the public.

The MLA for Peace River South is urging Judge David Ruse not to grant bail to a Dawson Creek man with a long and violent criminal history who is currently in custody.

In November 2021, Jesse Stevens was on the run from police. He was wanted for Aggravated Assault

Stevens surrendered to police but was immediately released on bail by a judge.

Then just last week, the 33 year old was once again arrested after being on the run from police for the past 4 months.

Stevens was arrested last Monday after being wanted for Attempted Murder and Robbery.

According to the BC Prosecution Service, the Crown is asking that Stevens be denied bail and be kept behind bars until trial.

The law require a judge to consider the principle of restraint and the legal requirement ot impose the least restrictive conditions that necessary to protect the public.

At the beginning of the year, Ottawa passed Bill C-48 that places a "reverse onus" on offenders to be released on bail and to usher in meaningful reform intended to increase community safety.

Last year BC’s Attorney General gave clear direction to BC prosecutors and judges to get tough on repeat and violent offenders seeking bail.

Despite the federal bill passing and the directive from Niki Sharma, Judge David Ruse is seeking options that could see Stevens released on bail.

According to the Prosecution Service, Judge Ruse has asked that a Technical Suitable Report be prepared, to see if Stevens is eligible for electronic monitoring. Judge Ruse does not live and work in the Peace Region. The judge, who has less than 2 years experience lives in the Okanagan.

“We need to step up, whether it's provincial or federal, and end this catch and release program. We're talking about public safety. We have somebody who is already well known to the RCMP, is known for breaking the law in a violent way, who is known for not following through with bail conditions. In what world do we think that this is adequate to let this person back out on the streets and say, don't worry, we'll trust you?” said Mike Bernier.

Bernier is urging Judge Ruse to do the right thing and to step up and do his job which includes protecting the residents of Dawson Creek.

Bernier said, “It’s unacceptable. We need to be making sure that we use every tool that we can to put these kind of people, who are violent and who are at risk for our safety and our communities, and put them behind bars where they belong until they've had their day in court.”

Bernier said it falls on everyone in the justice system including judges to make sure communities are not being put at risk.

“Police have done their job. We finally have somebody behind bars. It's now out of the RCMP’s control. How frustrating is it for the police? All of a sudden officers do all this work and just have a judge basically snap his fingers and say, don't worry trust me, back on the street you go,” said Bernier.

Jesse Stevens next court appearance is April 30^th.

None of the allegaions have been proven in a court of law.