Man pleads guilty to mischief for fireworks during protest

A Yorkton man received an absolute discharge for setting off fireworks at Wascana Park last summer, during the same time the Justice for Stolen Children camp was happening.

Crown prosecutor William Jennings said Brent Holland pleaded guilty to one count of mischief on Tuesday for shooting a Roman candle into the trees.

The four charges Holland was previously facing were withdrawn, including assault with a weapon, mischief under $5,000, uttering threats and arson with disregard for human life.

Jennings said Holland has had to abide by conditions to keep the peace, follow curfew and to stay out of Regina — conditions he has kept. That, combined with an acknowledgement of guilt, made the absolute discharge sufficient punishment, Jennings said.

Holland spoke to the court through his lawyer, Jennings said.

“Basically characterizing his actions as a being stupid, stupid mistake. He’s very remorseful, very embarrassed,” he said.

Jennings said the incident was caught on security cameras.

On Aug. 12 at 2 a.m., Holland was with about nine people, standing and sitting around vehicles parked near the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Legislative Drive.

“At the very end, the video shows Mr. Holland lighting a Roman candle firework, pointing it at the tree line approximately about 10 feet in from the sidewalk and it went off,” he said.

“It wasn’t a very powerful commercial grade firework. It was more a corner-store firework. The shot went into the trees. The shots hit the trees and the foliage, dropping to the ground without causing any damage. And then the group scatters.”

The video did not show any altercation between Holland and the protesters, nor did the group appear to be paying attention to the camp, Jennings said.

“It doesn’t appear that he was aiming for the camp at all,” he said.