A man who was found in the area of a downed Telus cell phone service tower near Oliver was denied bail as he faces charges for breaking and entering, arson and possession of stolen property.
Steve Joseph Adilard Godbout, 50, was denied bail Thursday in Penticton Provincial Court.
None of the charges relate to the damage to the cell tower, located on top of Fairview Mountain west of Oliver, however, Godbout was witnessed by Telus crews who came in by helicopter to assess the damage and work on repairs on March 19, Crown said.
Crown counsel Catherine Crockett noted that Godbout has not been charged with any offences related to the damage to the tower which knocked out cell service in the area, a matter she said was “still under investigation.”
However, Godbout was located in the remote area and charged with breaking and entering, as Crown alleges he was found with a USB stick and a key, property allegedly taken from the service shelter located next to the tower.
Godbout told the court that the door was open when he arrived and he walked right in. Court heard that Godbout is homeless and is often living in remote, wooded areas in the summer.
Godbout is also facing charges of arson relating to a Oct. 26, 2015 incident at the Oliver A&W, where Crown reported that witnesses saw him place his belongings on top of a utility box attached to the wall of the fast food restaurant and start flicking what appeared to be a lighter. Shrubs next to the utility box caught on fire and had to be extinguished by Oliver fire crews.
Godbout denied intentionally setting his belongings on fire, saying he was under the influence of prescription Adavan, arguing “why would I burn my own sleeping bag on Main Street in the middle of the day?”
In denying bail, Judge Greg Koturbash called the arson incident “bizarre.”
Godbout is set to appear for an arraignment hearing on April 13.