Sarnia man jailed two years after firefighters found dead dog and sick cat in his apartment
Sarnia firefighters discovered a sickening scene after they put out a small fire inside a London Road apartment about six months ago.
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Sarnia firefighters found sickening scene after putting out small fire inside a London Road apartment about six months ago .
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A dog had died in a cage – but not from the fire.
“The bottom of the steel cage was completely covered with dog feces and fur. There was no dog food in the crate and the only water that had been available to the dog while he lived was a small water bottle attached to the side of the metal crate similar to what a guinea pig might have, ”the deputy crown attorney said. Ryan Iaquinta said Monday outside a Sarnia courtroom.
Firefighters also found a cat on April 19.
“He was extremely thin and lethargic. The litter box was completely overflowing with excrement and there was no food available for the firefighters, ”Iaquinta said.
Police learned that 20-year-old James Waters was the tenant, but he had not been seen there for about a month. They found him later that day at his mother’s house.
“Hiding under the basement stairs at her mother’s house without her mother knowing,” Iaquinta said.
Waters, now 21, pleaded guilty Monday to Sarnia Jail’s Zoom to animal abuse and arson – he started the fire on Monday – as well as a second arson charge criminal and assault by suffocation. The last two incidents took place less than two weeks later at her mother’s home on College Avenue South.
He was sentenced to just under two years in prison.
Judge Anne McFadyen said the fires – both caused more than $ 30,000 in damage – and the assault on her mother were significant.
“With the neglect of animals,” said the judge. “All of these issues are of great concern. “
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Waters started the first fire by laying a coat over a kitchen trash can, spraying them with hand sanitizer and setting them on fire. After he was arrested and released, he started arguing with his mother as they both sat in chairs inside his home on April 28.
“As the argument continued, Mr. Waters got angry, approached his mother in the recliner and started punching her in the face several times,” Iaquinta said. “He then put both of his hands around her neck and started choking her.”
He also made two threatening comments as she tried to pull away from him, but then noticed that she was bleeding.
“Sir. Waters immediately felt remorse for his actions and told his mother he would take her to the hospital,” Iaquinta said.
But as he went upstairs to get his shoes, she ran through the front door and went to the hospital. After he left, Waters retrieved a metal canister with oily liquid from the garage, poured it over his mother’s things in the living room, set them on fire, and left.
The woman lost nearly $ 32,000 in property – most of which was covered by insurance outside of her $ 1,000 deductible – while an insurance broker assessed the overall damage at over $ 300,000.
While arrested later that night, Waters asked the police a question.
“Is she okay?” “” Said Iaquinta. “He then asked about the crime scene tape around (her) College Avenue South (his home) and said if he was a cop he would suspect himself.”
A pre-sentence report and a psychiatrist’s report were both written for Waters, who had no criminal record. The latter document stated that he was feeling “depressed and suicidal” at the time and had a history of mental health issues. He also felt “zoned” at the time, but was sober and self-aware.
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The psychiatrist concluded that he was “fit to stand trial”.
“My client, for me, felt extreme regret and remorse for his actions,” said defense lawyer James Guggisberg.
Waters addressed the court briefly.
“I just want to say that I apologize for my actions,” he said as he sat in a small room in the prison, wearing a blue mask and orange clothes.
The two lawyers have requested that he be sent to an establishment such as the Saint-Laurent Valley Correctional and Treatment Center, where he can seek treatment for his “various illnesses”. The judge agreed to make the suggestion, although the final word rests with correctional officials, pointing out that there was “a lot of hope” for Waters’ rehabilitation.
Waters was awarded 8.5 months pre-trial detention. When he is released, he will have a three-year probation order prohibiting him from contacting his mother or visiting her home unless she gives her written consent. It is also forbidden to use weapons, lighters or anything that can start a fire, and cannot own animals for 20 years.
In addition, the judge included three restitution orders: $ 30,000 to the property management company that owns the London Road apartment, $ 1,000 to his mother for her franchise and $ 30,701.11 to the company. assurance.
Other charges were withdrawn.
The cat’s status, turned over to the Sarnia and District Humane Society, was not mentioned in court. But a spokesperson for the organization said via email Monday: “The cat has recovered so well and has been adopted.”
