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Accused in Sask. Amber Alert case appears in court

Sep 25, 2018 | 6:44 AM

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. — The suspect in the recent Amber Alert case made his first appearance at North Battleford Provincial Court Monday, Sept. 24.

Johnathan Ryann Gunville, 19, of North Battleford is facing charges including abduction, unlawful confinement, abandoning a child, dangerous operation of a vehicle, theft of a vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, evading police, driving while disqualified and failing to comply with a probation order. 

The charges relate to an Amber Alert on Sept. 16 as well as two other vehicle thefts on Sept. 19 and Sept. 20. 

According to the RCMP’s prior report, the six-year-old girl was in her mother’s SUV when it was stolen from outside a strip mall at about 5 p.m., Sept. 16.

The girl was located in the early morning of Sept. 17. She was found safe, still inside the vehicle in a field in North Battleford’s Industrial Park.

Looking fidgety when he made his court appearance, Gunville smiled as he peered out into the courtroom, seeming to be looking for someone. 

Crown prosecutor Chris Browne said in court he was opposed to Gunville’s release.

Gunville’s case has was adjourned until Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. when a bail hearing is scheduled.  

Outside court, Gunville’s mother appeared distraught and wiped away tears when she spoke to reporters briefly outside the courthouse.

Tammy Lavallee said her son was in a group home at one point previously but was evicted.

She said she came to court Monday to find out if it was actually her son facing these charges.

She confirmed he is dealing with some addictions issues.

Lavallee said if she could see her son now she would “tell him that whatever he has done wrong, I hope he learns from that.” 

Legal aid lawyer Bill Archer spoke to media following court. He said he has just received information pertaining to his client’s charges, so hasn’t had a chance yet to review the full file. 

“From the little that I have heard about it I really suspect we are going to have a really difficult time, ” Archer said. “If it was him, he stole a car, not a kid. That’s what it comes down to.”

“It’s got a lot of attention because of the circumstances,” Archer added. “I’ve dealt with Johnny before. He has got some mental health issues. Knowing the kid from before, he wasn’t stealing any kid… He didn’t realize a child was in (the vehicle) until such time as he was already in the car, if it was him. I don’t know if that evidence is there either. We’ll see. I’ll have a better idea by tomorrow.”

The allegations against the accused have not been proven in court.