CALGARY — A self-confessed crack addict says she’s sorry for an addiction-fuelled string of crimes which included helping a friend mug a senior at a Calgary shopping mall.
Renee Nichole Lemire told a judge that her days of drug use are behind her.
Provincial court Judge Sean Dunnigan said Lemire should deal with what caused her to take up drugs.
The 22-year-old Lemire pleaded guilty to crimes which culminated in her helping a fellow crack addict flee Southcentre Mall after robbing a 92-year-old woman.
Dunnigan accepted a joint submission from lawyers for the equivalent of a 22-month sentence for Lemire’s crimes, which included three break-ins to get money to buy drugs.
The judge also ordered Lemire to be supervised for 18 months.
“I have lost a great deal to addiction,” Lemire said before she was sentenced. “What I was doing was certainly going to lead me to death.”
Lemire apologized to those affected by her crimes, including the woman who was mugged.
“I want to sincerely apologize to the victims of my acts, especially Gertrude Gerritsen,” she said. “You tend to do evil to get what you want. That is not how I want to live my life.”
Crown prosecutor Adam May said Lemire was driving with another crack addict when her passenger told her to stop in the mall parking lot.
The woman then got out and knocked Gerritsen to the ground, injuring her, before she stole her purse.
“Ms. Gerritsen suffered severe injuries with a lasting and debilitating effect,” May said of the June 17 attack.
But May added Lemire wasn’t aware her accomplice intended to rob the victim.
Outside court, Lemire’s father and brother expressed hope she will be able to continue on the path to drug recovery.