Laughing crook packed off to jail

Laughing crook scolded by Penticton judge; packed off to jail
at 19:18 on June 1, 2005, EST.

PENTICTON, B.C. (CP) - A man who admitted to armed robbery couldn't stop giggling in provincial court Wednesday, but it was the justice system that got the last laugh.

"Stop smiling, it's not funny," Judge Gail Sinclair told Cole Smith. "I wouldn't be smiling if I was going to prison for two years." Smith, 18, pleaded guilty to nine counts, including shoplifting.

One of the charges was from an armed robbery that was thwarted when he was locked in the store.

Another time a false name he gave an officer had a warrant out under that name, so he was arrested anyway.


Cole Smith won't be laughing for 2 years.