MOOSE CREEK/CORNWALL – Charges have been withdrawn against three people charged in connection to a cockfighting operation in North Stormont.
Court records show charges against Gerard Delorme, 57, of North Stormont, Hector Racuya, 55, of Montreal Que. and Arturo Sumayo 58, of Montreal Que. were withdrawn at the request of the Crown.
Typically, charges are withdrawn if the Crown believes there is no reasonable prospect for conviction.
Meanwhile, another five people charged are expected to enter pleas on Dec. 15, Dec. 19 and Jan. 26, 2017. They are:
- Eric Thompson, 69, North Dundas (Dec. 15)
- Richard Patenaude, 62, North Dundas (Dec. 19)
- Philip Patenaude, 45, North Stormont (Dec. 19)
- Gerald Tessier, 83, South Stormont (Jan. 26, 2017)
- Richard McCormick, 70, York, Ont. (Jan. 26, 2017)
Ronald Bell, 62, and Norman Redick, 56, both from Plympton-Wyoming, Ont. will be in court Dec. 15 to set a date for a plea.
Thomas Carter, 87, of London, Ont. will have his charges spoken to on Dec. 15.
On April 9, 2016, SD&G O.P.P. dismantled a cockfighting operation on a property on Tolmies Corners Road and seized a number of roosters and equipment.
All of the accused are and were facing various animal cruelty charges.