A Swift Current man had half a dozen charges against him stemming from an armed home invasion and incident involving a firearm dropped last week at his sentencing.
Matthew Neufeld appeared in Swift Current Provincial Court on Wednesday, March 26, via video surveillance from the Regina Correctional Centre.
The 28-year-old pleaded guilty on two charges: breach of a release order and possession of a prohibited weapon in the form of a Japanese throwing star.
Neufeld was sentenced to 60 days in prison on the charge of possession to run consecutive to 30 days on the charge of breaching an order, although he won't be spending any more time behind bars. He spent 79 days in custody and was credited with 119 days, which was more than enough to cover his total jail sentence of 90 days.
Crown prosecutor Greg Lee noted that Neufeld was thought to have hung out with the other individual charged in the home invasion, but the victim couldn't positively identify him as one of the perpetrators.
"I felt like I couldn't prove the identity because the home invaders were wearing masks," said Lee. "It's not strong enough evidence to convict beyond a reasonable doubt."
The resident of Swift Current was also given until May 30, 2025, to pay a small fine to the court.
He was arrested on December 6, 2024, on an outstanding warrant after reports of a firearm that was discharged near the Swift Current Branch Library and an armed break-and-enter that took place at a residence only a few days later.
Neufeld was initially charged with two counts of assault causing bodilty harm, one count of possession of weapon for dangerous purposes, one count of unauthorized possession of prohibited, one count of break-an-enter, one count of being disguised with the intent to commit an offence, one count of theft over $5,000, and one count of theft under $5,000.
Other individuals charged in the incident are still being prosecuted, including Nicholas Belanger, who is facing a total of 18 charges and is next set to appear for trial in Swift Current Provincial Court on June 2.