Man Sentenced for $15,000 Firearm Theft During Addiction Crisis

A man struggling with a methamphetamine addiction has been sentenced for breaking into a relative’s home and stealing a firearms collection valued at nearly $15,000. Nathaniel Scott, along with an accomplice, forcefully entered the victim’s garage and accessed a cabinet containing two safes, which had been secured to the floor and wall. The family was away on holiday at the time of the burglary, leaving them to return home to a traumatic scene on October 8, 2022.

Impact on the Victims

The victims, who were uninsured, expressed deep emotional distress following the crime. In a statement presented during the sentencing at the Hamilton District Court, the relative described how Scott’s actions have profoundly affected their lives. “My wife is struggling to sleep at night. She is very scared that the defendant or others are coming back,” he stated, highlighting the impact on their children, who kept asking, “Is the bad man coming back?”

The family had taken precautions to secure their home, yet they found the wooden cabinet damaged upon their return, with both safes missing. The back door had its window smashed, indicating a violent entry. The main firearms safe contained a relic machine gun, a bolt-action rifle, and ten semi-automatic pistols, while a smaller safe held approximately 900 rounds of ammunition.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Scott appeared before Judge Denise Clark for sentencing, facing two charges of burglary and two charges of failing to appear in court. The police investigation led to the discovery of Scott’s fingerprints inside the dismantled cabinet, confirming his involvement. Additionally, details emerged about a previous burglary where Scott and an associate stole glass fittings from a construction site.

During the court proceedings, Scott’s counsel, Vhari Thursby, mentioned his cooperation with law enforcement and argued for a potential discount on his sentence due to his willingness to assist police. She proposed a starting point for sentencing of three years and six months, citing his lack of prior convictions and his drug addiction as contributing factors to his actions.

Judge Clark acknowledged the direct impact of Scott’s offenses on the victims and their community. “Coming back to this was a huge wrench to all of them,” she remarked. Taking into account the significant loss of property and Scott’s ongoing struggles with addiction, she imposed a sentence of 22 months in prison. In addition, Scott was ordered to pay $5,500 in reparation, with payments set at a minimum of $30 per week after his release.

The case highlights the intersection of addiction and crime, demonstrating the profound effects such actions have on victims and their families. Judge Clark noted the importance of addressing Scott’s drug addiction while also emphasizing that it does not excuse his criminal behavior.