Grand Manan men get house arrest; restitution ordered

Three of the four Grand Manan men convicted in connection to the summer brawl that left alleged drug dealer Ronnie Ross beaten and his house burned to the ground have been sentenced to house arrest.

Michael Small, 27, and Lloyd Bainbridge, 31, were convicted of arson November 18. They were not charged with the fire that eventually burned down Ross's Cedar Street residence, however, but they were found guilty of setting a smaller fire behind the home earlier that night. No charges have been laid in connection with the fire that ultimately destroyed the building, an alleged "crack house."

Early on the morning of July 22 a group of about 40 residents confronted Ross and his entourage. Gunshots were fired from both sides, and a lengthy fight ensued. The three RCMP police officers on duty that night testified that they were powerless to control the chaos. Residents used vehicles and a human chain to prevent firefighters from putting out the fire.

In the St. Andrews courthouse on December 4, Justice Hugh McLellan ordered Small and Bainbridge to serve a one-year conditional sentence. They have also been ordered to pay $5,000 each in restitution to Ronnie Ross.

The Grand Manan residents have been given permission to go to work, but will have to stay home the rest of the time for the 12-month period, with the exception of some appointments.

Matthew Lambert, 27, who was convicted of possession of a flare gun for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, was given a conditional sentence as well, which amounts to six months of house arrest.

Ronnie Ross's Cedar Street neighbor, Carter Foster, 25, who was convicted of unlawful storage of firearms last month, received a conditional discharge. The local fisherman will not have a criminal record.

A fifth man was charged in connection with the incident but was found not guilty.

Crown prosecutor James McAvity did not oppose the sentence, telling Justice McLellan "the court should temper his sentence with mercy."

David Lutz, the defense lawyer, told reporters outside of the courthouse after the sentencing that his clients had learned a valuable lesson. "Don't take the law into your own hands."

Supporters of the men affectionately referred to by some residents as "the boys" expressed relief that the sentence is in.

"I think everyone is relieved that it's over," says local innkeeper Theresa Macfarland. "I know the reaction last night at the town hall was just relief." The longtime resident traveled to St. Andrews to attend the trial last month. She says that while many Grand Mananers are relieved, some are confused about the $10,000 in fines. "People are questioning what the restitution is for," she notes.

Indeed, some residents were upset with the $5,000 restitution, according to Grand Manan Mayor Dennis Greene, who says he was disappointed with the conditional sentences. "I was hoping it would have been time served," he admits. "But it was the best that can be done with the justice system." While some residents are unhappy with the fines, paying the money is preferable to the alternative, says Greene. "It's a lot better than jail. It could have been a lot worse so I guess we just have to be comfortable with what's happened."

Ross, who admitted on the stand to smoking crack but maintains he doesn't sell the drug, will be tried next year for possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and uttering death threats. He is reportedly currently living in Digby, Nova Scotia.