A man has been sentenced in a bizarre case that made headlines across Canada after a garter snake was thrown across the counter of a Saskatoon Tim Hortons.
Christopher Jordan Cook, 21, received a conditional discharge with six months of probation for mischief and causing a disturbance. That means he will have no criminal record if he abides by his conditions, which include not going back to the 22nd Street and Avenue F South location where the incident happened on Dec. 8, 2014.
He also has to pay a $500 victim surcharge as part of his sentence.
Wearing what appeared to be work clothes caked with paint, Cook had nothing to say about the snake-throwing incident during his sentencing in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Thursday. His legal representative told the judge that Cook wrote an apology letter to Tim Hortons and donated $500 to one of its charities.
Cook and another man recorded themselves demanding an outrageous sandwich order before tossing the non-poisonous snake, which had been tucked inside Cook’s jacket pocket, towards the women who were taking their order.
“I’m going to release my snake,” one of the men can be heard saying.
The snake – who police named “Outlaw” – was taken to an animal sanctuary where he continues to live. Those caring for him discovered that the reptile came from Alberta, police said.
Cook’s co-accused, Luke Wesley Apooch, is wanted on a bench warrant after failing to show up to his last court appearance in July.