Man sentenced for random Nanaimo mischief spree, spitting assault

While he was not detained, police identified Morecroft after viewing surveillance footage.

Morecroft’s next offence, described by the presiding judge as “despicable,” involved the offender approaching a woman at the China Steps just off Victoria Cres. during the early evening of March 9.

He yelled at the woman before pushing her and spitting in her face.

Morecroft then walked away, yelling at other passing civilians.

Police canvassed the area, eventually tracking Morecroft down later the same evening and arresting him.

He was released, only to commit another crime eight days later.

Morecroft was spotted by a Good Samaritan damaging a parked vehicle on Albert St. near Selby St. on March 17, causing between $500 and $1,000 in damage.

The offender ran off along nearby Prideaux St., where he got into a yelling match with the Good Samaritan.

Morecroft was arrested on scene and later released.

Cole Morecroft has an extended documented history of engaging in verbal altercations with members of the public, particularly in the downtown area. (Image Credit: Submitted photo)

On April 4 at about 12:50 a.m., a civilian flagged down police after seeing a man slashing a parked car’s tire on Wesley St. near Fitzwilliam St. The complainant supplied video showing Morecroft committing the offence, causing $145 in damages.

Morecroft was then arrested at Bastion and Skinner streets.

He was released from police custody on the evening of June 19, with the condition of staying away from downtown Nanaimo.

Officers conducting proactive patrols in downtown Nanaimo early the following morning spotted Morecroft at 3 a.m. walking from Wharf St. into the adjoining Diana Krall Plaza.

A private security guard noticed a nearby business window had been shattered and that Morecroft was the only person in the area.

He was arrested on scene, and has been in custody ever since.

Surveillance video from Studio 31, a salon on Wharf at Front streets, showed Morecroft throwing an object through a large window at 2:50 a.m.

View inside a boarded-up Studio 31 following Morecroft recently sending an object through the window of the downtown Nanaimo salon. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In her closing submissions, Rahme pointed to the number of offences committed in such a short period as an aggravating factor.

“These are seemingly random acts that are taken against complete strangers in the case of the assault charges and unaffiliated local businesses,” she said.

Most of the offender’s crimes occurred while he was on probation.

Morecroft was not ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

Citing the offender’s three-page criminal record dating back to 2016, Rahme said most of his convictions have been for property offences, assaults and breaches.

He was convicted of damaging property in February of last year at Maffeo Sutton Park, as the offender yelled and screamed at people on Nanaimo’s waterfront.

A mischief charge for another glass-shattering incident allegedly by Morecroft on Bowen Rd. was dropped in exchange for his guilty pleas.

He was accused of throwing an object through the front glass of Huong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant at the Bowen Centre strip mall during an early morning Feb. 4 incident captured on surveillance video.

“By entering guilty pleas today, Mr. Morecroft has saved an already overburdened criminal justice system substantial time and resources, as well as spared several civilians and police officers from having to come in and testify,” Rahme told the judge.

Morecroft’s sentence is followed by 12 months’ probation, counselling provisions, staying away from the impacted businesses, and not possessing rocks, bats, clubs or pipes.

Morecroft declined to address the court from the prisoner’s box.

Defence attorney, Lou Shelling, said he was struck by how concentrated these offences were.

Shelling said Morecroft has battled addiction issues and has since sobered up in custody.

Morecroft was ashamed of his actions and chose not to have his supportive mother attend court, Shelling said.

He hopes Morecroft takes advantage of post-custodial programming offered to him.

Judge Brian Harvey accepted a jointly crafted sentencing recommendation, but not before issuing pointed words for the offender.

“These offences are a complete nuisance to the citizens of Nanaimo and businesses that try to make a living here. Causing routine mischief has become a real problem.”

Judge Harvey said Morecroft needs to make changes to alter the course of his life.

“If you want to go forward with your young life in prison, that’s your choice, but I would imagine the Crown is going to be seeking longer and longer sentences if you don’t stay out of trouble,” the judge said.

Alternate angle of a damaged hair salon at the hands of Cole Morecroft. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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by Ian Holmes

Man sentenced for random Nanaimo mischief spree, spitting assault

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