Copper theft sentences far too light: airport

Justice has not been served in the sentences handed down to two men who damaged a western Newfoundland airport's navigation system last fall, an official says.

Christopher Jesso, 41, and Eric Young, 18, were sentenced Wednesdayin provincial court in Stephenville.

The pair had pleaded guilty to stealing copper wire from Stephenville Airport in November.

Jesso was sentenced to 60 months in prison, although only 33 monthsare related to his airport-related convictions of theft, mischief endangering life and possessing break-in tools. The rest of his time is related to various crimes committed since 2001.

Young was sentenced to two years less a day for his role in stealing the airport's copper wire.

Bob Bynes, who chairs the Stephenville Airport Authority, said because each man has also received six months credit for time served, neither will be in custody long before parole eligibility begins.

"So [Jesso will] be back on the street in a year. That's ridiculous," Bynes said.

"If this was in the United States criminal system, these guys would be staying in years for five to six years, or longer, because of the nature of the crime that they committed," he said.

"The other young fellow, he'll be in jail for probably six to eight months, and that's it."

Jesso and Young also were ordered to pay more than $1,600 each in restitution.

However, Bynes said that is a fraction of the more than $150,000 that an insurance company will have to pay to repair the damage.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy who was charged along with the two men is scheduled to be back in court in April.