Had been in custody since July
21 year old Colin Reed was freed after almost 6 months in prison for charges related to lighting fires on Harvey Avenue. In the middle of the worst fire season in BC history, Reed was seen lighting bushes just east of Spall Road on July 30th.
Reed was homeless and appeared to be under the influence at the time, and Reed's lawyer argued he suffers from a severe head injury from a skateboarding accident in his teens. Reed has gained back 40 pounds while in jail. He had lost substantial weight while living on the street. He's also back on medication to help him deal with several mental health issues.
The lawyer also said Reed wasn't intending to start fires. He was trying to steal metal signs with a blow torch. 5 days prior, Reed was arrested taking apart a couple of fences with a bolt cutter in the area of Orchard Park Mall, then a fence at Parkinson Rec Centre the next day.
The sentencing amounted to an immediate release, as Reed has been in jail since his arrest. He'll also serve 2 years probation.
