Repeat shoplifter gets 9 months jail, 2-year ban from Circle K, Shoppers

Joshua Sleeman's shoplifting spree struck the same Sault Ste. Marie store several times last year.

He repeatedly visited a McNabb Street convenience store in August and September and made off with nearly $1,100 in merchandise, a judge heard Friday.

Sleeman pleaded guilty to theft for stealing stuff from the Circle K, located at Pine and McNabb, on five occasions between Aug. 14 and Sept. 17.

He also was convicted of theft in connection with Aug.15 -21 incidents that occurred at Shoppers Drug Mart on Great Northern Road.

The 40-year-old grabbed multiple chocolate bars, placed them in a bag, and left without paying for the items on the first date, the Crown told Ontario Court Justice Heather Mendes.

Sleeman was known to a security guard at the Cambrian Mall pharmacy, who provided police with video, prosecutor Blair Hagan said.

Less than a week later, he returned to the business and made off with $32 worth of candy.

The Circle K crimes stemmed from numerous times Sleeman took numerous items from the convenience store, and again was captured on surveillance cameras.

His tabs from those thefts ranged from $56 to $500.

In addition to the thefts, he pleaded guilty to five counts of violating his probation, five charges of skipping court, and three counts of breaching release orders.

Two of the probation breaches involved a woman he was not to contact.

On Sept. 22, 2022, city police were called about a disturbance on Wellington Street East.

A man and woman were embroiled in a loud argument, and when the officers located the pair they continued arguing, Hagan said.

The cops caught them together again on Aug. 9, 2023, when they responded to a call about two people loitering on a staircase at the GFL Memorial Gardens.

The Crown and defence lawyer Ken Walker jointly recommended a nine-month custodial sentence and two years probation.

Sleeman committed a number of offences, stole a substantial amount of merchandise in quick succession, and neither business recovered the items, Hagan said.

The "sheer number" of offences are concerning and calls for a jail term, Walker told the judge.

His client has struggled with heroin, but was drug free for a couple of years, the defence said.

"Then he re-engaged and is here with these charges."

When she imposed the proposed sentence, Mendes noted Sleeman's offences arise from addiction.

With the enhanced credit he received for his pre-sentence custody — the equivalent of 207 days — he faces a further 63 days behind bars.

During his two-year probation, he must take any recommended counselling, which will include substance abuse, and must stay away from Shoppers and Circle K.

Sleeman also was ordered to provide a DNA sample for the national database.