Osoyoos man sentenced to 12 months probation for driving at neighbours – Oliver/Osoyoos News

One member of a group of Osoyoos neighbours with a history of conflict has been handed a lengthy suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a car intimidation case.

Morgan Taves Griffiths, 45, was previously ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution for damages stemming from a March 2020 incident with neighbors at an apartment complex. Griffiths was caught on camera shouting racial slurs, spitting at the neighbor, chasing him, kicking him in the back and then dousing him with a garden hose.

Griffiths pleaded guilty Wednesday afternoon in Penticton court to a charge of assault with a weapon.

The court heard that on April 27, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Michael and Irina Bahmutsky were in their garage when a Pontiac minivan driven by Griffith turned into their driveway and stopped very close to them before driving away to his nearby apartment.

The group is made up of neighbours who have ongoing disputes with each other and the Crown said this incident is one of many in their relationship.

The court heard Griffiths had mental health problems at the time of the offence.

The court heard that in the past the RCMP had received regular calls regarding ongoing disputes, but recently Griffiths was believed to be doing well and had not had any problems.

Judge Lynett Jung imposed a suspended sentence of 12 months — meaning a prison sentence to be served in the community, including home detention — followed by 12 months of probation with standard restrictions, as well as treatment for substance abuse and/or mental illness.