A 10-year-old girl went to the door and locked it to keep the woman out of the house, Crown attorney Ellery Metz said.
Alicia Mancino’s attempted break-in into the East End home in early December shattered the family’s sense of security at home, a judge heard Tuesday.
At 7:50 am on December 2nd, she was at the front door and tried several times to enter the Frowwin Street house.
A 10-year-old girl went to the door and locked it, keeping Mancino out of the house, said Crown attorney Ellery Metz.
A frightened child called out to his mother, and a suspicious person was reported to the city police.
When officers spoke to the homeowners, they learned that a young woman dressed in black with a backpack had been swinging the door handle in an attempt to break in.
Police received a second call that the woman had returned to the area and found her on Cady Avenue.
Mr. Mancino told officers he had a battery charger he wanted to give away, Metz said.
A nearby car door was open and the owner indicated it was missing a charger and other items.
The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to four charges stemming from her actions that day via Algoma Treatment and Remand Center’s Zoom.
She was convicted of rest and trespass with intent to commit two counts of indictable crime, probation violation, and property gained by the crime.
Ontario Court Judge Heather Mendes said several items were taken from the vehicle, including notebooks, Canadian tire money, ownership documents, $30 and a large gift card.
No cards were found in Mancino, Parry Sound prosecutors told the court.
At the time of the incident, she was on two probation orders to keep the peace.
The Crown and defense attorney Ken Walker jointly recommended that the client be sentenced to 90 days (time in prison) and 12 months probation.
Metz called the defendants’ “very early” guilty pleas indicative of remorse and mitigating factors.
“The royal family’s argument was compelling, but it could have included the testimony of a young child,” she told the court.
Mancino’s pleas removed the witness from having to testify and she accepted responsibility for her actions.
What happened at home was a “scary situation” for the child and violated the sense of security and safety in a place we thought was safe, prosecutors said.
Metz read the victim’s statement from the girl’s mother and outlined the emotional impact the “traumatic situation” had on the family, especially on the daughter.
The woman said it was terrible not to feel safe in her own home, indicating that “we are concerned about the safety of our families and homes.”
The man whose car was targeted told Mendez that he felt raped.
“The way she went through my truck and took my belongings, I still haven’t got them all back.”
Walker said his clients have bipolar disorder, ADHD, fetal alcohol syndrome, and drug addiction.
The substances Mancino used appeared to be causing her to spiral out of control, he told the court.
“Her record starts in late 2022 and has gone like gangbusters.”
The defense said if she didn’t change her ways more people could fall victim and the statistics.
“Fentanyl is out of control for her.”
When Mancino was asked by the judge if she had anything to say, it was difficult to hear what she said, but she said, “I just want to apologize.”
When she forced her attorney to submit a joint sentencing, Mendez agreed that her early pleas were softened and a sign of remorse.
They saved considerable courtroom time and resources and the younger did not have to testify, she said.
She cited aggravating factors, including Mancino’s conviction of a similar crime in October.
Similarly, her behavior violates the sense of security in the home, especially the children, Mendez said.
During the one-year probation period, Mancino cannot have contact with the victim and must not be within 50 meters of the victim.
She should receive recommended counseling for substance abuse and mental health issues.
The judge also imposed a 10-year arms ban.
Mancino must provide a DNA sample for the national database.
