Sentencing adjourned in armed robbery case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on February 1, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A sentencing hearing for a woman who robbed and threatened to kill a man nearly two years ago, has fallen prey to the COVID pandemic and has been adjourned for a month.
Chelsey Marie Beringer was to receive the judge’s decision on sentencing Monday in Lethbridge provincial court, but given recent court protocol governing trials and other hearings during the pandemic, the matter was adjourned to March 1.
Beringer pleaded guilty last June to charges of armed robbery and uttering threats. During a sentencing hearing the following September, the Crown recommended the 23-year-old woman be sent to jail for a year, while defence suggested a 90-day intermittent sentence and two years of probation would be appropriate given his client’s young age and lack of criminal record. Defence also pointed out Beringer had a troubled childhood and later was involved in a number of abusive relationships, which led to alcohol and drug addictions, and ultimately the robbery. Since the incident she has moved to Saskatchewan and away from bad influences, completed an addictions treatment program, and has changed her life.
On May 7, 2020 Beringer called an acquaintance and asked him to meet her in Coaldale. At about 11 p.m. the man pulled into the parking lot of Tim Horton’s in Coaldale and Beringer got into his car. As he drove away, Beringer told him to stop, and a man wearing a hospital mask and carrying a kitchen knife walked up to the car and climbed into the back seat. He held the knife to the driver’s neck, and Beringer demanded money. The masked man – Beringer’s boyfriend at the time – repeated the demand and threatened to cut the victim.
The three went to a bank where the victim withdrew $200 from the ATM, and the masked assailant handed it to Beringer before they returned to Tim Hortons. Beringer kicked the victim, stole his cellphone and threatened to kill him if he called the police. Her boyfriend also threatened to kill him.

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