Photo credit: Josh Hall/rdnewsNOW

By Sheldon Spackman

Parkvale Neighbourhood

Second suspect sentenced in Red Deer break and enter

Sep 17, 2025 | 3:52 PM

One of two people charged in relation to a Red Deer break and enter last year has been sentenced to time served.

Mark Douglas Ditchburn, 35, of Red Deer, was sentenced in Red Deer Court of Justice on Sept. 8, 2025, to 90 days in jail, less 90 days of pre-trial custody. Ditchburn served 60 days of pre-trial custody but was given credit of time-and-a-half, deeming his sentence time served.

He was convicted on counts of possession of substance, and carry concealed weapon, while three other charges against him were withdrawn.

Ditchburn’s co-accused, Jeremy Sanderson-Hayward, 38, also of Red Deer, was sentenced in Red Deer Court of Justice to five-and-a-half years in jail on April 10, 2025.

However, he was given credit for 339 days of pre-trial custody, leaving him 1,666 days or over four-and-a-half years left to serve as of that date.

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Sanderson-Hayward was also given a firearms prohibition after being convicted on eight of 11 charges against him.

Those counts included:

• Possess for purpose
• Obstructing a peace officer
• Carry concealed weapon
• Possess property under $5000
• Unauthorized possession of firearm
• Possess weapon dangerous to public

It was on Aug. 26, 2024, at about 3 a.m., when Red Deer Mounties responded to a report of a break and enter in the Parkvale area of the city. Upon arrival, officers reported multiple suspects fleeing the area and attempting to evade police but say they were apprehended a short distance away.

Officers then searched the individuals and allegedly found a revolver firearm, ammunition, a retractable baton, bear spray, currency, drugs, and other items they say are consistent with drug trafficking.

Red Deer RCMP charged two individuals as a result of the investigation.

Related: Man charged in Red Deer break and enter scheduled for preliminary hearing

Related: One of two sentenced in Red Deer break and enter

Related: Two Red Deer men arrested after reported break and enter