A man who escaped police custody at the Biggar Hospital pleaded guilty today in North Battleford Provincial Court to weapons and theft charges.
Jordy Leschinski, 20, was originally charged with 19 criminal offences after being arrested on April 18 and again on April 19.
On April 18 Leschinski was arrested and taken to the Biggar hospital where he managed to get out of his handcuffs, which were attached to a hospital bed. He fled the hospital and stole a vehicle from a residence in Biggar.
Biggar RCMP had taken him to the hospital after they received a complaint around 6 p.m. that Leschinski had pointed a firearm at a woman before leaving with a female youth in his vehicle. All three were known to each other. According to court documents, Leschinski had a loaded Winchester 94 in the back of his Dodge Ram.
An hour later police found him on Highway 14 with the youth inside his truck. He got out and became a hazard to motorists.
Leschinski was taken to Biggar Hospital for treatment of minor self-inflicted injuries. He escaped police custody then fled the hospital at about 8:30 p.m.
RCMP officers from Rosetown, Warman and Unity RCMP Detachments, as well as Saskatoon Police Air Service and the RCMP Police Dog Services, helped Biggar RCMP find Leschinski again. They located him shortly after midnight on April 19 near Landis.
In May, Leschinski’s lawyer told the court she was filing an application to have him ruled Not Criminally Responsible (NCR). The court ordered a mental health evaluation. Judge Lorna Dyck didn’t endorse an NCR application.
The Crown has proceeded by indictment against Leschinski. He was originally charged with escaping lawful custody, pointing a firearm at an individual, theft of a Winchester, possession of a Winchester without a license, having a loaded weapon in the back seat of his vehicle, having a weapon dangerous to the public, being in a vehicle knowing there was a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing it was obtained under an offence, possession of a firearm dangerous to the public, handling a firearm in a careless manner, theft of a vehicle, three counts of assault with a weapon (a motor vehicle), driving dangerous to the public, two counts of failing to comply with a no contact order, failing to keep the peace, and failing to comply with an order not to possess firearms and ammunition.
He pleaded guilty to nine charges including possession of a weapon without a license, possession of a restricted/prohibited weapon without a license, theft of a vehicle, two counts of dangerous driving, three counts of failing to comply with a probation order and failing to appear in court. The remaining charges were withdrawn.
Leschinski will be sentenced July 23.
