Calgary Pastor Derek Reimer on Tuesday was found to have breached his house arrest sentence conditions. The judge decided he had breached his Sentence Condition Order (SCO) by staying on the courthouse steps after appeal hearings on two separate occasions, when the SCO mandated he must strictly go to and from the approved location, unless he had prior authorization from his parole officer. After listening to suggestions from both the Crown and Reimer's defence, the judge decided though there was an SCO breach, he could be released Tuesday evening after processing, with additional conditions added to his sentence. Reimer was convicted in December for "criminal harassment" for his objection to "Drag Queen Story Hour" at a Calgary public library. He was sentenced to one year of house arrest and two years of probation. Additional charges of mischief and causing a disturbance were dropped..Pastor convicted over 'Drag Queen Story Hour' protest faces new breach ruling.The Crown launched an appeal over the dropped charges. On two occasions, Reimer stayed after the scheduled appeal hearings, on April 10 and May 2, to pray and worship with his family and friends on the steps of the courthouse. He received no warning on or after those dates that his actions could constitute a breach.On May 8, Reimer was arrested for allegedly breaching his sentence conditions when he appeared at his parole officer’s office for a scheduled appointment..Crown pushes for 12-month sentence for Calgary pastor Derek Reimer .He was detained at that time and held for 61 days, until he was released on Tuesday following the judge’s decision.Reimer’s lawyer, Andrew McKenzie, focused his arguments on whether or not Reimer’s rights under the Charter were protected, and whether or not someone is allowed to be early for a court date — as Reimer was at the courthouse steps on the scheduled date when he allegedly breached his house arrest conditions.The judge decided he must refrain from recording any meetings with his supervisor, or any legal-related meetings.There was some debate as to whether he should refrain from using an "amplification device" (a microphone) as part of his SCO. The judge ultimately decided that Reimer used a microphone for his work as a preacher, and thus should be allowed. He is required to get advance authorization from his supervisor for attending a religious service, including where he is preaching, errands or any other reason other than scheduled legal or parole officer meetings.
