Daniel Purvis will spend 60 days under house arrest for crimes that targeted his relatives. The 38-year-old Sault Ste. Marie man pleaded guilty Friday to two charges stemming from an incident that occurred at Lower Island Lake on Dec. 10, 2021. He was charged with break and enter to commit an indictable offence, but the Crown accepted a plea of guilty to the included offence of mischief under $5,000. As well, he was convicted of possession of stolen property under $5,000. Ontario Court Justice Heather Mendes heard the Ontario Provincial Police had received a call about a man, who had approached a Brooks Road resident. The man told the caller that his vehicle was stuck on a nearby bridge and he needed help to tow it. The caller noted Purvis Marine was on the side of the vehicle, and officers learned it had been reported stolen. Police contacted the owner. He suggested his cousin Daniel, who had drug issues, and had caused them problems in the past, could be involved, assistant Crown attorney Blair Hagan told the court. Officers followed fresh footprints in the snow from the scene to a camp, which was owned by another cousin of the accused. Glass in the main door had been broken. Purvis was arrested and taken to the Sault Area Hospital, where he was held for mental health reasons. Defence lawyer Eric McCooeye told the court his client was under a lot of distress after losing a family member. He was unable to sleep and had “ideations” that he “would end it all.” Purvis didn’t carry it out, has been getting medical assistance and is on a drug regimen. McCooeye said his client has found employment, which “has been grounding for him.” “He’s doing very well compared to that night” when “he was in a frame of mind where he was not able to process what he was doing.” He has a “lot of remorse,” the lawyer said, and understands what he has done and “is trying a different way.” Because of his criminal record, a conditional custodial sentence, which will be served in the community, was jointly recommended by the Crown and defence. Purvis is remorseful, and his struggles with mental health issues have been taken into consideration, Hagan said. “I’ve come a long way,” Purvis told the judge. Mendes accepted the joint submission, calling it both “a fit and fair” and “short but sharp” sentence. During his conditional sentence, Purvis will have a 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, and can have no contact with the complainants and must stay away from the camp. He will be on probation for 12 months once he completes the sentence.
