UPDATE: Time served, probation for Salmon Arm arson

UPDATE:

The man who set fire to a vehicle after smashing into the front of a 7-Eleven store in Salmon Arm two years ago has been sentenced to three years’ probation and credited with time served.

Kenneth Robert Laforge, 40, had already spent a year and a half in prison for arson and mischief charges connected to the case.

“He was credited 540 days time served on the arson count and credited 30 days time served on the mischief (count),” Alisia Adams of the B.C. Prosecution Service said.

Laforge pleaded guilty to both counts.

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His sentence was handed down in B.C. Supreme Court in Kamloops this morning.

The store was extensively damaged in the fire and had to be demolished.

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The man who started a fire that destroyed the 7-Eleven in Salmon Arm two years ago is expected to be sentenced in B.C. Supreme Court in Kamloops today.

Kenneth Robert Laforge, 40, has pleaded guilty to one count of arson and one of mischief in connection with the Aug. 24, 2018 incident, when a vehicle was driven into the front of the 7-Eleven store, blocking the entrance.

Laforge poured gas on the vehicle and lit it, causing the store to start on fire while shoppers and staff scrambled to get out the back door.

The building was extensively damaged and had to be demolished.

Experts said Laforge was suffering from a psychiatric disorder caused by crystal meth use at the time of the incident.