Diamond theft case update

Legal aid has been approved for the Russian-speaking couple charged with stealing a diamond from W. Smith Jewellers, according to the Telegraph-Journal.

70 year old Grigori Zaharov and his wife 44 year old Natalia Feldman were in court yesterday and the judge was told legal aid had been approved but a lawyer had not been assigned yet. So the couple was remanded in custody until their next appearance Thursday. The Crown says it will be opposing any bail request because the couple is wanted in a number of other jurisdictions for diamond thefts.

Youth pastor admits to sexual exploitation

A youth pastor from Rothesay has admitted to sexually exploiting two teenage boys.

The Telegraph-Journal reports 34 year old Ryan Hachey was to begin a trial yesterday on multiple charges but changed his plea to guilty of sexual exploitation. The former Kennebecasis Valley High School teacher and volunteer youth pastor at a valley-area church, admitted to the offence involving one boy at an unidentified church in the Rothesay/Quispamsis area and another who was a student at an unnamed high school in the Sussex area.

A sentencing hearing will be held December 21st then Hachey will be sentenced January 4th.