James Plover pleads guilty to Pitt Meadows no‑contact order charge

James Plover Bailey McCourt Pitt Meadows no‑contact order Kelowna murder

James Plover, the estranged ex‑husband of Bailey McCourt, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to comply with a no‑contact order for an offence that occurred on 24 September 2025 in Pitt Meadows. He appeared by video in the provincial court in Kelowna on 31 July 2026, where a publication ban covers most details of the case. Plover’s defence lawyer, Cory Armour, has asked that a psychiatric report be prepared before sentencing. His next court appearance is scheduled for 1 October.

Plover was in custody at the time of the plea for charges related to McCourt’s death. Bailey McCourt was killed after being attacked in a Kelowna parking lot on 4 July 2025. Earlier, Plover had been convicted of assault by choking and three counts of uttering threats in 2024. The original second‑degree murder charge for McCourt’s killing was upgraded to first‑degree murder on 25 November 2025, with a trial set for September‑December 2026. He was sentenced on 27 November 2025 to 12 months for the 2024 convictions, leaving 147 days after time served. Plover is forgoing a pre‑trial hearing for the murder charge.

Entities: Bailey McCourt · Carrie Wiebe · Cory Armour · James Plover · Kelowna · Pitt Meadows

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 27 SOURCES] The original second‑degree murder charge was upgraded to first‑degree murder on 25 November 2025, and the trial is scheduled for September‑December 2026. (The original second‑degree murder charge was upgraded to first‑degree murder on Nov. 25, 2025. Plover’s first‑degree‑m)
[● 27 SOURCES] Bailey McCourt was killed on 4 July 2025 after being attacked in a Kelowna parking lot. (McCourt died after being attacked in a Kelowna parking lot in broad daylight on July 4, 2025.)
[● 27 SOURCES] Defense lawyer Cory Armour requested a psychiatric report before sentencing. (Plover’s defence lawyer Cory Armour requested that a psychiatric report be completed ahead of sentencing)
[● 27 SOURCES] Plover had prior convictions for assault by choking and three counts of uttering threats in 2024. (Plover had been found guilty of assault by choking and three counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in)
[● 27 SOURCES] James Plover pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a no‑contact order for an offence that occurred on 24 September 2025 in Pitt Meadows. (James Plover pleaded guilty for a charge of failing to comply with a no contact order. The offence occurred Sept. 24, 5)
[DISPUTED] The plea was entered by video in the provincial court of Kelowna on 31 July 2026. (appearing by video in provincial court in Kelowna on July 31)
[DISPUTED] Plover was sentenced on 27 November 2025 to 12 months for the 2024 charges, with 147 days remaining after time served. (On Nov. 27, 2025, Plover was sentenced to 12 months for the 2024 charges, but had only 147 days left after time served.)
[● 27 SOURCES] A publication ban covers most details of the case. (A publication ban covers a majority of the case’s details.)