This article discusses intimate partner violence and may be triggering to some readers. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse contact the Kelowna Women’s Shelter 24/7 support line at 250-763-1040 or text 236-970-0704. In an emergency, call 911.
James Plover will spend another 147 days in jail for choking and uttering threats stemming from an intimate partner violence incident.
A total 12-month sentence was handed down in Kelowna Provincial Court on Thursday, Nov. 27 by Judge Dave Ruse over charges tied to a June 2024 incident.
Plover has been in jail for 145 days. Due to enhanced credit, that equals 218 days, meaning he only needs to serve the remaining 147 days, which will total 12 months.
These offences were determined to be intimate partner violence. Because of this, a ban restricts publication of the victim’s identity.
The victim’s mother spoke to the media after the decision, unhappy with the days being credited.
“I cannot get over that they credit them with that time. You know I have a real problem with them crediting them time. Why are we doing that?” she said, adding that it doesn’t feel like enough.
The 33-year-old Plover was in attendance via video on Thursday.
Judge Ruse described the incident in detail to the small courtroom with more than 20 people in attendance. In the months prior to the incident, the married couple was seeing a counsellor, but their marriage was going downhill.
Plover was at home with the victim and their two-year-old child on the day of the incident. The victim was having two friends over. Plover and the victim got into an argument about the child after Plover wanted to take the child somewhere.
The victim took the child from Plover and attempted to leave. Plover made threats against the victim and the child, including that he would kill them and himself. He then strangled and hit the victim’s head off the microwave. The victim was able to leave the house and call their mom and 911. When authorities arrived, Plover moved furniture in front of a door, obtained a propane tank and a machete and threatened suicide again. Officers were eventually able to get Plover to come out of the home.
The incident left bruises on the victim and had a “significant effect” on them.
Plover was found guilty of these charges on July 4, 2025, making him a first-time offender.
Several hours after being found guilty, Plover’s estranged spouse , Bailey McCourt, was attacked in a daytime violent assault. McCourt and another woman who was also attacked were taken to the hospital with injuries, where McCourt later died. Plover was later charged in the attack as well as with dangerous driving stemming from a later incident that same day, where he was reportedly pursued by police following the reported assault and was arrested on Glenmore Road, near Lake Country.
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, the charge of second-degree murder from this event was upgraded to first degree.
Even when the 147 days are up, Plover is scheduled to stay in custody due to the first-degree murder charge. The next appearance for the murder charge is set for Jan. 13, 2026.
On Thursday, Plover also received a firearm ban for life and has a non-contact order with his child while in custody.
– with files from Jen Zielinski