Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
A man who revved his motorcycle inside his family’s home — filling the house with smoke and terrorizing his sister and ill parents — has done his time and is now out on probation.
Steven Loftus was living at the Killarney home where he was supposed to be caring for his sickly mom and dad.
“He ended up putting them through that night of terror,” Crown attorney Grant Hughes said in Brandon court on Monday.
Loftus, 49, pleaded guilty to uttering threats, mischief and resisting arrest.
Police were first contacted on the afternoon of Dec. 19, 2011, and told that Loftus had claimed to be on his way to Brandon to kill his brother.
Police managed to speak with Loftus and court previously heard that they managed to calm him.
About 75 minutes later, police received a 911 hang-up call from a Killarney home in which the caller urged them to hurry.
Officers arrived to find Loftus revving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the house.
There was smoke throughout the home, as the spinning rear tire had burned through the carpet and flooring.
Loftus then ran to the basement, refused to abide by police orders and raised his fists before he was pepper-sprayed and carried outside by two officers.
Hughes said the problem began over Loftus’ concern about his motorcycle and insurance coverage.
Loftus had started the bike, apparently to get it out of the house, but was having trouble moving it. His brother had damaged the machine about two weeks before.
Loftus ran between rooms to alternately rev the motorcycle, then yell at his parents and sister.
He also threatened to blow up, or burn down, the house with his parents and sister inside.
His mother, who was ill at the time, was living at her home on palliative care and was plugged into an oxygen machine.
Loftus’ father was also ill, and both parents have passed away since he was arrested and kept in jail to deal with his charges.
Originally, Loftus was charged with two counts of attempted murder, but those charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
For the charges Loftus pleaded guilty to, Judge Krystyna Tarwid sentenced him with a total of one year time served.
That means he’s now out of custody and will be on probation for two years.
While on probation, he’s to take anger management and mental health counselling as directed.
» ihitchen@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition December 18, 2012
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A man who revved his motorcycle inside his family’s home — filling the house with smoke and terrorizing his sister and ill parents — has done his time and is now out on probation.
Steven Loftus was living at the Killarney home where he was supposed to be caring for his sickly mom and dad.
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A man who revved his motorcycle inside his family’s home — filling the house with smoke and terrorizing his sister and ill parents — has done his time and is now out on probation.
Steven Loftus was living at the Killarney home where he was supposed to be caring for his sickly mom and dad.
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