A prolific offender who was caught by police while riding a suspected stolen motorized scooter has been sentenced to time served, 18 months’ probation and a one-year driving ban.
Simon Howchin, 42, was sentenced Jan. 29 in Abbotsford provincial court on two charges – driving while disqualified and breaching a release order.
Howchin was arrested on the evening of Oct. 11, 2023, after police saw him commit some driving violations in the 33000 block of Bevan Avenue.
The officers confirmed that the vehicle identification number was etched away on the scooter Howchin was driving – a common characteristic of stolen goods.
Police at the time also said they located and seized materials that were believed to be illegal drugs, but Howchin was never charged with any drug offences in that incident.
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Also on Jan. 29 and 30, Howchin was sentenced for several other crimes in Abbotsford:
• driving while prohibited on Jan. 22, 2020;
• dangerous driving and fleeing from police on Sept. 8, 2021;
• assault on Sept. 22, 2021; and
• driving while disqualified and fleeing from police on June 22, 2023.
Several breach charges were also among his convictions.
Howchin’s combined sentences for all the crimes amount to a three-year driving ban, a three-year weapons ban, a $1,000 fine and 18 months’ probation.
Howchin has prior convictions for offences such as theft, dangerous driving, fleeing from police, assault, breaching his conditions, and several counts of driving while prohibited.