Copper theft guilty pleas not ironclad, duo argue

Two men who had already pleaded guilty to stealing copper from a western Newfoundland airport are now trying to reverse their pleas, on grounds they did not realize the seriousness of the offence.

Eric Young, 18, and Christopher Jesso, 41, told a provincial court in Stephenville on Tuesday that they have fired their lawyer, and want to change their guilty pleas on several charges, including endangering the safety of aircraft.

Copper wire was stolen from Stephenville's airport in November, temporarily knocking out runway lights.

Young and Jesso appeared in court for what was supposed to have been a sentencing hearing. Instead, they argued that they did not know their guilty pleas could lead to prison terms of five years.

The Crown, however, argues that Young and Hesso knew precisely what the consequences of guilty pleas were.

The court has given Young and Jesso until Friday to find new lawyers.

As the pair left court, Jesso said, "We're not terrorists. We want lesser sentences."