Arson at Colonial Inn nets 18-month sentence

A Cross Lake woman who lit a fire in a Brandon hotel room, causing an estimated $18,000 in damage and the evacuation of around 150 people, was sentenced to a year and half in jail on Friday.

Kelsey Frogg, 25, previously pleaded guilty to arson, assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and two counts of uttering threats.

The Crown recommended a total sentence of two years, while defence argued for 18 months.

Crown attorney Yaso Mathu detailed the facts of offences in Brandon provincial court.

Frogg’s ex-partner called police on Aug. 17, 2024, to report that the mother of his child had assaulted him and “ransacked” their hotel room at the Colonial Inn, where they were staying as wildfire evacuees.

Mathu said Frogg hit and slapped the man, as well as threatened him by saying she would kill him and his mother. She also broke a television and smashed various items in the room, the Crown said.

The man called his mother to come and get Frogg out of the room and take their child back to their home community.

Frogg did leave the room, and the man’s mother and aunt showed up. They helped the man gather belongings from the hotel room. Frogg ultimately came back into the room, and everyone else left, leaving her alone, Mathu said.

She struck a match and lit a pillow on fire before exiting the room with scissors, court heard.

“She had the handle of the scissors in her palm, making a fist over it, trying to use it as a knife, trying to stab and make threats to everyone, saying she’s going to kill everyone,” Mathu said.

Mathu said 150 people had to evacuate the hotel because of the arson, and the cost of the damage totalled an estimated $18,000.

“The Colonial Inn did reopen the following evening, but the room where the fire started was a write-off. Two nearby rooms have been out of service due to severe smoke damage,” Mathu said.

She said Frogg was assessed as a high risk to reoffend, and it appears she has “unchecked addiction issues.”

“She admits she was fully blacking out off and on that day, but her actions were incredibly serious … People could have been killed,” the Crown said.

Defence lawyer Anthony Dawson said Frogg’s lack of a criminal record, Gladue factors and the steps she has been taking while in custody supported a shorter sentence than the Crown’s recommendation.

Dawson said his client recognizes alcohol abuse as a “major issue” in her life, but she has been trying to address it.

“Alcoholism — any addictions — are always a very difficult process for people to overcome and deal with,” Dawson said.

While in custody, he said Frogg has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly and completed several programs. She is also working to complete her Grade 12 education.

Frogg plans to go into a treatment facility once released from custody, Dawson said.

He said Frogg was raised by her grandparents and there is a history of residential school in her family.

Dawson described her behaviour at the time of the offence as “rather out of character,” which is supported by the fact that she doesn’t have a prior criminal record.

He also noted that Frogg was in “difficult circumstances” at the time, since she had evacuated her home community because of wildfires, which is what brought her to Brandon.

When given a chance to speak, Frogg apologized and said she feels remorse for her actions.

Judge Patrick Sullivan said the fire posed a risk of igniting the entire hotel, and while thankfully that didn’t happen, the sentence needed to reflect the danger she posed.

However, he credited her for addressing underlying issues while in custody and noted her lack of a criminal record.

Sullivan sentenced Frogg to 18 months in custody, minus the equivalent of 398 days she’s already spent in custody, leaving her with a go-forward sentence of around five months.

Her sentence will be followed by two years of supervised probation.

» sanderson@brandonsun.com