The Parole Board of Canada has granted limited overnight parole privileges for Kenneth Jacob Fenton – the man who struck and killed West Shore Const. Sarah Beckett in 2016.
In July 2017, Kenneth Jacob Fenton was sentenced to four years in prison after he killed Cst. Sarah Beckett in an impaired driving crash in Langford in April 2016.
He had pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death.
Cst. Sarah Beckett, who was struck and killed in April of 2016
On May 22, 2016, after Fenton was arrested and released on bail for striking and killing Cst. Beckett, Fenton drove his friend’s vehicle while intoxicated and crashed it, injuring himself and his passenger.
The now 32-year-old was later sentenced to an additional 18 months pleading guilty to impaired driving causing bodily harm following the separate car crash.
In January 2018, he was granted limited day parole to attend a treatment centre for alcohol abuse in the Fraser Valley for 70 days.
He was then granted day parole in September of 2019.
Now, the parole board is granting Fenton “4 and 3 leave privileges,” meaning he is to stay at a correctional facility for four nights a week and is allowed to stay at his apartment, or another suitable residence, three nights a week.
The parole board said Fenton showed commitment to his sobriety, is in a relationship and has a full-time job.
“You have continued to meet the expectations of release and participate in AA meetings. You have maintained your employment and have been saving money for your upcoming statutory release date,” the parole board’s decision reads.
“The CSC 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.”
The 32-year-old is still not allowed to visit Vancouver Island without the approval of his parole officer, something Fenton applied for last year but was denied.
Fenton is not allowed to own or operate a motor vehicle while on parole.
The parole privileges and conditions of Fenton’s release are slated to be reevaluated every six months.
Rebecca Lawrence
