By Ian Holmes

EXCLUSIVE: high-profile criminal pleads guilty to end assault, drug trial

May 3, 2019 | 2:49 PM

NANAIMO —A BC Supreme Court trial in Nanaimo involving guns, drugs and violence came to an abrupt end when the criminal at the heart of the matter pleaded guilty.

Colin Lamontagne, 43, admitted to five charges of forcible confinement, as well as drugs and weapon offences at a south Nanaimo and a Yellow Point home in November 2016. He also pleaded guilty to possessing and trafficking numerous hard drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, fentanyl, carfentanil and GHB.

The decision came on the fourth day of a scheduled three week trial after Lamontagne previously pleaded not guilty to 15 charges.

Crown prosecutor Nick Barber opened the case Monday by stating Lamontagne brutally beat up a drug addict at a Ninth St. home in November, 2016.

Barber said a later bust at the Ninth St. home uncovered numerous drugs and weapons, including a loaded 50-caliber handgun, shotgun and two 20-litre buckets of the date-rape drug GHB.

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Justice Jeanne Watchuk said Lamontagne will be sentenced some time this summer.

He remains in custody in relation to a manslaughter conviction in Victoria last year.

The Crown stayed all 12 charges against co-accused Gord Clifford Brooks, who pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapons offences. Court heard he held the lease for the Ninth St. property at the time of the offences.

A forfeiture order was made by Justice Watchuk on items owned by Brooks related to the charges. 

The Crown intends to seek a separate forfeiture order for Lamontagne’s possessions when he’s sentenced.

Lamontagne’s lawyer Stephen Taylor said a joint submission is not likely and differing views on what Lamontagne’s punishment should be will presented during his sentencing hearing.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes