brain-injured offender sentenced for series of Nanaimo crimes

Roberts, whose struggled with a methamphetamine and heroin addiction, had his sentencing hearing in late June at provincial court where his erratic behaviour in Nanaimo was outlined.

He assaulted a woman during an apparent drug deal, smashed a downtown vehicle window to steal an earthquake kit, and attacked a loss prevention officer (LPO) at London Drugs at Port Place Shopping Centre.

Roberts was trying to steal items from the store when the LPO intervened and took him to the ground.

Roberts then punched the worker in the face, who wasn’t seriously injured.

The most serious incident happened on June 9, 2025 on Nanaimo’s Wakesiah Ave.

Crown counsel’s Leanne Mascolo told court Roberts was seen on the Esso gas station’s surveillance video hanging around prior to a potentially damaging fire.

Mascolo said Roberts ignited paper with a torch and put it in a garbage can located beside a diesel fuel pump.

The service station includes occupied adjoining apartment units on the second floor, Mascolo noted.

A fire smoldered for about an hour, then flames erupted.

Luckily, somebody walking by spotted the fire, prompting a quick response from Nanaimo Fire Rescue.

“Certainly there was a risk of lighting a fire so close to the gas pump, gas station and residential area,” Mascolo said.

Nanaimo RCMP were able to quickly get in contact with the responsive business owner, who supplied surveillance footage, providing police with a useful suspect description.

While patrolling the area, an officer located and arrested Roberts.

“He said he was not proud of doing it and he won’t do it again,” the officer relayed to Crown counsel.

Roberts told police he was bored, feeling lonely and having a bad day.

Last October, Roberts lit a fire at St. George Ravine Park located south of Terminal park mall. A City of Nanaimo employee used an extinguisher to put out the fire, which damaged two large boards.

Roberts was arrested four days later after running from the scene.

His final crime was on Dec. 23, 2025 while sorting through a residential garbage bin and lighting it on fire.

Police found eight lighters in his possession while arresting him on scene, which breached police-assigned release conditions.

He remained in custody until his recent June 26 release.

Offender’s background

With limited information on Roberts and reasons behind his offending, a pre-sentence report and psychiatric assessment were both ordered after Roberts entered guilty pleas in early March.

Those reports uncovered a disturbing and difficult past for Roberts.

Defence lawyer James Wright said his client was exposed to illicit drugs at a young age.

“He’s got a monumental hill to climb with respect to the things that have happened to him and certainly the drugs he was using, which started at the age of 14 with his biological father which is, frankly, an unconscionable act,” Wright told court.

Roberts had gone to addiction treatment programs, but left voluntarily.

Wright said Roberts has dealt with housing insecurity, lost the use of his left eye and is easily persuadable among negative peers.

Defence attorney James Wright has extensive experience working with clients who have varying mental health ailments. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Roberts has demonstrated a willingness to remain sober, Wright noted.

His re-offending risk was deemed to be low if he can avoid illicit drugs.

Wright said his client wants to seek out brain injury supports and wants to pursue post-secondary training in the horticulture field.

Critically, Roberts has post-release housing arranged in Nanaimo, Wright told court.

“His mom knows the challenges for sure, his stepfather is on board.”

Wright told court his client is nervous about the temptations of using drugs and alcohol, adding his client is challenged by short-term memory issues.

Wright said while Roberts feels a bit overwhelmed by his rehabilitative path, he intends to seek out community-based brain injury programming.

Judge Chris Churchill accepted a joint sentence recommendation for the nine-month, time-served sentence, followed by 18-months’ probation.

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by Ian Holmes

brain-injured offender sentenced for series of Nanaimo crimes

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