Michelle Jessica McCallum, 42, pleaded guilty to five charges and was sentenced for breaking into vehicles in Nanaimo and stealing ID. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

jail sentence

Woman jailed for vehicle break-ins, identity theft in Nanaimo

Feb 26, 2020 | 3:40 PM

NANAIMO — A law-abiding woman until her late 30’s who became consumed by a life of drugs and crime is off to jail for the next four months.

Michelle Jessica McCallum, 42, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on five charges at provincial court in Nanaimo following a recent crime spree involving ID stolen during several vehicle break-ins.

The crimes came to a stop on Tuesday, Feb. 18 after McCallum attempted to shake police during a chase while driving a 1990 Mazda car with a stolen license plate.

Crown prosecutor James Kulla said police aborted their pursuit of McCallum since she was headed toward a school zone in the Nicol St. area at 3 p.m.

McCallum ditched the car, but was captured by police.

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“In her purse she had identification from five different people which was taken from these various car break and enters…She had possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia,” Kulla said, who noted McCallum was a prohibited driver.

Defence attorney Stephen Taylor said his client has four kids and owned a local hair salon for more than 20 years.

In a complete reversal of character, Taylor said McCallum was found by police in December 2016 in a local hotel room with a large collection of stolen mail.

“It’s almost inexplicable that a community volunteer, mother to her children and suddenly she’s in another world of drugs and crime.”

Taylor said McCallum’s latest setback was the direct result of relapse.

Her criminal record includes property crimes, assault, probation breaches and driving offences.

A tearful McCallum elected not to address the court.

She was also handed one year probation with numerous conditions, including counseling and a two year driving ban.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes