Ian Archibald Mactavish was sentenced to four-and-a-half years after a substantial crime spree using his company truck. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

sentencing hearing

Former garbage truck driver sentenced for stunning mid island crime spree

Jan 12, 2021 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — A man with an out of control cocaine addiction used his employer’s garbage truck to scope out businesses to rob throughout the Nanaimo and Oceanside region.

Ian Archibald Mactavish, 54, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail after reaffirming guilty pleas to 16 break and enter charges on Monday, Jan. 11. He will serve 23 months behind bars after credit for time served.

The charges relate to overnight commercial break-ins between Dec. 15, 2018 and April 15, 2019.

The Crown’s Sheila Simpson told court the crimes would result in extensive damage to businesses since Mactavish would often punch holes through concrete walls to gain access.

She said Mactavish used his private contractor employer to find targets.

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“(He was) essentially casing these businesses through his work to find his targets,” Simpson said.

Mactavish’s most lucrative targets included the Qualicum and District Curling Club in January, 2019 where he stole roughly $800 and cheques from a safe, and the Albertson’s Home Centre in Parksville when he hauled away $9,300 worth of tools in 15 wheelbarrow trips.

A gas station, coffee shop and restaurant were among the other Oceanside businesses Mactavish victimized.

During the same time period, Mactavish busted into multiple Nanaimo businesses, many in the Bowen Rd. area during overnight hours.

Court was told none of the valuables Mactavish stole were recovered as the offender flipped them for drugs.

He was seen on surveillance video at several of the break-ins wearing a reflective vest similar to the one he wore at work.

Late in Mactavish’s crime spree, he drew a police response after tipping over a garbage while behind the wheel of a work truck.The interaction led police to identify Mactavish as a suspect in a long list of break and enters.

They also used tracking devices on the disposal company trucks to further implicate Mactavish.

He admitted to 50 commercial break and enters on the mid island during his crime spree, however court was told only 16 crimes could be proven.

Defence lawyer Peter Hertzberg said unaddressed trauma played a key role in his client’s life of crime and substance abuse, sending him in and out of jail throughout his adult life.

Hertzberg said Mactavish is taking rehabilitation seriously, pointing to progress made during psychotherapy sessions while in custody and the completion of numerous rehabilitation courses.

The offender addressed court from jail in Victoria where he’s been since May, 2019.

“I need to continue what I’m doing and to give back to the community, because all I did was take, take take…it’s so selfish.”

Mactavish said failing to deal with his negative emotions led drug use and further instability such as losing employment and housing and strained relationships.

During his 15 minute address to court he reversed prior justifications for actions by claiming the businesses were protected by insurance.

Judge Lamperson told him the importance of applying the lessons he’s learning while in custody.

“I think you know that if you do slip, if you do re-offend….your sentence would increase significantly. There would be no more provincial custody,”Lamperson said.

Mactavish will serve two years probation upon his release. His probationary terms include staying away from the businesses he broke into.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes