The man convicted of killing a West Shore Mountie in a 2016 crash has been granted extended three-day leaves and overnight parole privileges as he approaches his March 15 statutory release date.
Const. Sarah Beckett, a 32-year-old mother of two boys, was killed April 5, 2016, when her marked police car was hit broadside at the intersection of Goldstream Avenue and Peatt Road in Langford.
Kenneth Jacob Fenton was found guilty in July 2017 of impaired driving and sentenced to four years in prison for Beckett’s death. He was also given an 18-month sentence for a May 2016 incident in which he was driving drunk when a passenger was seriously hurt.
Fenton will now rotate between spending four days at his community-residential facility followed by three days at an approved apartment to support his switch to independent living.
He was first granted day parole in January 2019 so he could attend a residential substance-abuse program, then was again given day parole in August 2019 and placed in a facility. He has received day parole at six-month intervals since.
During a parole review last August, Fenton indicated a desire to live on central Vancouver Island after his release in order to build his income and enhance his relationship with his family and young son.
But the Correctional Service of Canada and the RCMP objected, with the RCMP citing the potential for violence if he returns. The parole board decision requires Fenton to get written permission from his parole supervisor before travelling to the Island.
In reviewing the crash that killed Beckett, the parole board said Fenton was “heavily impaired” by alcohol and sped through a red light before hitting her vehicle.
The board indicated Fenton has made some progress while on day parole, noting that he has obtained full-time employment and maintained his sobriety.
“The Correctional Service of Canada reports their opinion that you now appear to understand more fully the consequences of your behaviour and the negative impact a return to alcohol use would have on your life and the safety of others.”
