A B.C. man who has repeatedly refused to come to court was released on a peace bond even as he repeatedly cursed at the judge Monday.
Joseph Brian Denis Grenon, 45, was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm to two people on Aug. 15, 2024.
Grenon was also charged with committing mischief by willfully obstructing use or operation of the Vancouver Public Library at 4561 10th Ave. W.
However, with agreement from Crown prosecutor George Prat, all those charges were stayed, with Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Gregory Rideout imposing a one-year-peace bond on Grenon.
He was given no-contact orders for the victims and told to stay away from the library.
“I live there,” Grenon said.
“You don’t live at the library,” Rideout said.
The judge then imposed a no weapons condition.
“You guys are all going to burn,” Grenon said. “This place is f**ked up.”
“I’m going to the library,” Grenon said.
“No, no,” Rideout said. “Well, OK.”
Grenon appeared in person in the locked prisoner’s dock for the proceedings.
The appearance came after two orders from Judge Harbans Dhillon that force be used to get him out of his remand centre cell to court if needed. Judge Ellen Gordon had also ordered him to be brought in person.
Prat said Grenon has refused to attend court six or seven times. The prosecutor said Grenon has spent more time in custody than the Crown would have sought for the offences.
However, in courthouse cells, Grenon refused to go to the courtroom leaving sheriffs to explain to him that the court had good news for him.
Grenon had requested a bilingual trial, and an interpreter has been paid repeatedly to be on hand for Grenon’s appearances. However, the court has now heard Grenon doesn’t speak French.
“I only speak English,” he said.
“He may be using that as a ruse to avoid these matters,” Rideout said before Grenon entered.
Prat told Rideout that police had been called to the library after complaints about a disturbance.
Grenon was taken to jail and released two hours later.
However, Prat said, Grenon returned to the library and continued to cause problems. He was arrested and charged.
“All f**king lies,” Grenon said.
Rideout said he was satisfied there had been a breach of the peace.
“I don’t give a shit,” Grenon said. “I didn’t threaten the people at the f**king library.”
Still, Rideout imposed the 12-month peace bond for Grenon to be of good behaviour and keep the peace.
“You guys are a corrupt f**king pile of shit,” Grenon said.
When Rideout ordered the drawing up of a release order, Grenon said he’d just get arrested again.
“F**k you,” he said to Rideout.
“Thank you, sir,” the judge replied.
