SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME 67 - ISSUE
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
NO. 51 • S U M M E R L A N D, B.C. • T H U R S D AY,
DECEMBER
18,
2014
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Historic truck
A 75-year-old truck, restored to original condition, has been sold to a British collector.
Polar plunge
The 30th annual Polar Bear Dip will be held at noon on New Year’s Day.
Top scams
Scammers continued their efforts to bilk the public.
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Chamber work
The Summerland Chamber saw many accomplishments over the past year.
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Class effort
Grade 6 students have formed a new foundation with the goal of helping others.
A Summerland Bantam hockey team faced Revelstoke twice in weekend hockey action.
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YOUR SMILE Here I sit upon the floor, the only place from which I cannot fall.
PA G E S
•
$1.15
INCLUDING
GST
Roberts facing child sex offences by Kristi Patton Black Press
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Bantam hockey
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Investigation of complaints began in October
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Library construction
John Arendt Summerland Review
Michael Leamont works on the construction of the new library building on Main Street. The concrete slab for the building was poured last week. The new building will be more than twice the size of the existing library on Wharton Street. Tango Management Group is the project manager for the library construction.
Voyeur receives fine, community service by Joe Fries Black Press
Recording two friends having sex then sharing the video will cost a Summerland man a $500 fine and 30 hours of community service. The 19-year-old, whose name has been withheld to uphold a publication ban on the victims’ iden-
tities, pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism and was sentenced Monday in provincial court in Penticton. “Stupid in the extreme, wasn’t it? Also criminal,” Judge Gale Sinclair said to the man prior to passing sentence. Crown counsel Catherine Crockett told the court the man had friends
over Feb. 14, 2014, for a party at his house, where “a lot of alcohol was consumed.” During the course of the evening, the man recorded videos on his phone and followed behind when a 16-yearold girl and another 19-year-old man went to a bedroom to have sex. See VIDEO Page 6
A prominent Summerland resident has been charged with several sexual offences involving a minor. Joshua James Roberts is facing charges of sexual exploitation, invitation to touching, possession of child pornography, child luring via the internet and assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm. Sgt. Stephane Lacroix said the charges were laid on Dec. 10 and the investigation began in October following a complaint made to the Summerland RCMP. The incidents allegedly occurred between March 1, 2011 and Sept. 1, 2013 and involve a person under the age of 18. A publication ban has been issued to protect the complainants identity. Roberts was known for working at Murray’s Pizza in Summerland, handling their promotions and for charitable work he did with the store through the schools. His father Murray Roberts, who owns stores in Summerland, Penticton and Oliver, said his son is not considered an employee of the pizza shop as of recent. He said his son cut back on hours due to a medical condition, then faced another medical
Facing charges
Josh Roberts of Summerland has been charged with sexual offences involving a minor.
setback that prevented him from working at all. “He can’t work and now he won’t be coming back as an employee,” said Murray. Murray said he hopes people can separate the allegations against his son and the business. “We have done a lot in this community and a tremendous job in the schools. We have enjoyed being involved in the community and look forward to continuing to do that,” said Murray. Murray’s Pizza also has listed West Kelowna as a location on their website. That store is owned by franchise owner/operator Cory Wiens. He said the charges laid last week came as a shock to him. Wiens, who purchased the franchise over a year ago, said he has concerns that people will start associating the allegations Joshua is facing with his franchise. See COURT Page 6