Security cameras captured video of Brett Anderson walking around her residence and property in Aweres Township several times in the early morning hours of July 30, 2021. It was 2:18 am. and the woman, who has a young child, “feared for her safety,” Assistant Crown Attorney Blair Hagan said. Anderson, 27, pleaded guilty to criminal harassment and violating probation for failing to keep the peace in connection with the incident. The Crown and defense lawyer Wayne Chorney jointly recommended that the accused be sentenced to four months’ house arrest, followed by two years’ probation. The couple once had a relationship that lasted a month. “He was shown on video stalking her outside her home at night,” the prosecutor told Ontario Court Justice John Condon, citing the need to protect the victim. Anderson has a criminal record that began in 2018 and in 2020 violated a similar suspended sentence that was terminated, Hagan said. “He has a clear idea of what this proposition is.” Chorney said his client had been very ill since 2017 and is still somewhat ill, suffering from substance abuse, with fentanyl being his drug of choice. Anderson also suffers from depression, has struggled with pills and antidepressants for the past four years and continues to have some suicidal ideation, the defense said. He has made “progress in his rehabilitation” and that is why the Crown agrees to this sentence, Chorney said, suggesting that “traditional imprisonment” would not help him. Anderson goes to Recovery North (an addiction treatment center) every day, where he takes his methadone, the defense said. Twice a week, he does a urine test and sees a doctor every week. “That’s probably why he’s still alive,” Chorney said. Anderson thanked the judge for listening, his consideration and “whatever leniency was given,” when asked if he had anything to say to the court. Condon said any leniency comes from lawyers’ common position on a suspended sentence, which is “home detention.” When the judge told Anderson that with his provocations, “you’re going to be an easy target in prison,” he replied, “I understand.” During his four-month sentence, Anderson can only be out of his home for work or medical emergencies and to attend Recovery North between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. every day. Also, he can be absent, every Friday, between 13:00 and 17:00 to procure the necessities of life. He cannot have any contact with the victim, he must not be within 50 meters of the woman, her residence or where she works. During his probation, Anderson is prohibited from possessing weapons and must attend any evaluation and rehabilitation program for substance abuse, domestic violence, and psychiatric and psychological issues. Condon also imposed a 10-year gun ban and ordered Anderson to provide a DNA sample for the national database. The judge asked Anderson if he will follow those orders. “All of them, all of them,” was the reply.
