Former firefighter urged to focus on potential

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Frederick Palmer, a college-educated firefighter, has extraordinary potential, his lawyer told a Sarnia judge.

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Lawyer Neil Rooke said a prescription for the drug turned into a methamphetamine addiction.

“He’s a man with unlimited potential when he’s sober,” he said.

Another judge heard a similar story in February 2023, when Palmer was sentenced to two months in prison for a crime spree.

Judge Mark Poland highlighted this threat when he recently sentenced Palmer, 44, of Lambton Shores, to 101 days in jail for an incident that occurred last summer in St. Claire.

“The reality is that the potential remains within you,” the judge told Palmer. “The question is whether you have the willpower to put drugs in the rearview mirror.”

Police were called to reports of a man slumped over the steering wheel of a red 1999 Ford F-350 pickup truck parked in a farm lane near Telfer Road and Courtright Line just before 10 a.m. Aug. 27. Officers found the pickup truck, which had no license plate, and a man who appeared to be sleeping.

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They opened the door, took out the keys and woke him up. Palmer tried to flee but was caught and arrested for driving under the influence when officers found drug paraphernalia.

Lambton OPP learned the pickup truck had been stolen. Palmer was charged with DUI, fleeing police, two counts of drug possession, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, breach of probation, breach of bail and driving while prohibited.

Those charges were dropped after Palmer pleaded guilty to drink driving and driving disqualified.

Both lawyers proposed a sentence of 101 days in prison, which Poland said was well suited to the criminal behavior.

“That’s probably the right thing to say,” he said.

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When Palmer had the chance to address the court, he said he wanted help.

“I wish you good luck. It’s a difficult road. You can do it,” Poland told him.

Palmer had enough time in pre-sentence custody to fully serve his sentence in Sarnia, but had no intention of being released due to pending charges in other areas of the region, Rooke said. He appeared in court in Goderich on Thursday and a bail hearing is scheduled for Friday in London. He also recently served a six-month sentence for charges including burglary in the Chatham area, Rooke said.

Upon his release, Palmer will be banned from driving for three years.

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