Michael Wayne Bonson was sentenced for a series of dated crimes in Nanaimo and Duncan. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By Ian Holmes

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NANAIMO — A man with a strong prior work history as a heavy equipment operator saw his life derail after forming a drug addiction.

Michael Wayne Bonson, 35, pleaded guilty to three offences and was handed a suspended sentence and a year probation following a sentencing hearing in provincial court in Nanaimo on Tuesday, May 23.

Court heard Bonson pocketed $8,540 during a series of in-person bank transactions at a pair of Coastal Community Credit Union locations in Nanaimo in Sept. 2019.

The Crown’s Leanne Mascolo said the forged cheques were made out to a Parksville motel.

“That was a loss by the credit union, not by the hotel. Despite efforts we were never able to identify the tellers that Mr. Bonson dealt with…So the Crown did have some significant evidentiary issues and we’re not seeking restitution.”

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About a year later, Bonson was arrested following traffic stops in Duncan and Nanaimo.

He was convicted of possessing a pair of prohibited weapons, brass knuckles, in the Duncan incident.

An argumentative and uncooperative Bonson clung onto a Nanaimo RCMP officer’s hand during a late night traffic stop.

The Mountie responded by tasering Bonson to bring him under control.

Kelly Bradshaw, Bonson’s lawyer, said her client had a strong work history as a cook and heavy equipment operator prior to falling onto hard times after a 2018 layoff.

She said Bonson moved to Nanaimo where he formed a cocaine and crystal meth addiction.

“He was having trouble finding work, he ended up on the street homeless and he started to gravitate to certain types of people,” Bradshaw said.

Bonson has managed to stay clean, obtained stable housing and recently secured employment in Ladysmith, Bradshaw noted.

An apologetic Bonson, who had no prior criminal record, briefly addressed court.

“I’m very sorry for everything I’ve done, I’m moving forward,” Bonson said prior to judge Tamara Hodge accepting a jointly submitted sentence recommendation.

The offender was credited with three days spent in custody and handed a year probation with numerous conditions, including counselling.

During the tail-end of the hearing court was informed a newly approved charge of theft under $5,000 had been applied against Bonson.

The charge relates to an alleged April 1, 2023 theft from Cabela’s in Nanaimo.

Bonson is scheduled to return to court next month in relation to the new charge.

Several arrest warrants were issued for Bonson’s apprehension last year for allegedly not appearing for multiple scheduled court appearances.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes