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Man receives conditional sentence for assault with a weapon |
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Written by
Citizen staff
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Monday, 24 November 2008 |
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Terrance Francis Slater, now a resident of Fort St. John, must also serve 15 months of probation on completion of the conditional sentences.
"The sentences reflect the seriousness with which I take these offences," said Prince George provincial court judge Michael Brecknell.
On July 24, 2005, police were called to a drinking establishment in Fort Nelson to deal with a disturbance during which a weapon had been used. They found a man with a head injury who was initially reported to have been hit with a pipe. This victim did not file a victim-impact statement with the court. However, he required hospitalization and stitches, court heard.
Police had to grapple with the suspected assailant, Slater, when taking him into custody. He was intoxicated and uncooperative to the point of being combative. He said he was diabetic and was taken to hospital. He was unco-operative with staff there, threatening hospital personnel and the complainant in the incident. He made threats against hospital workers, and said he knew some bikers, court was told.
Slater pleaded guilty to the two offences on Dec. 5, 2007.
"You're lucky you're facing only a charge of assault with a weapon, and not something far more serious," Judge Brecknell said. "If you're using a tire iron, striking even one blow could result in death."
The judge imposed a 12-month conditional sentence for assault with a weapon and three-month conditional sentence order for resisting a peace officer. Restrictions under both conditional sentences include an 8 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew, a ban on alcohol and non-prescription drugs, and no contact with the victim. Probation conditions are similar, except that there will be no curfew after completion of the conditional sentences.
Judge Brecknell also issued a five-year prohibition against owning firearms and other weapons, and ordered Slater to provide a DNA sample for a national data bank.
"I didn't send you to prison for two reasons: 1) You have a daughter to care for, and 2) you've stopped drinking," the judge said. "I have nothing against social drinking, but you can't be a social drinker. You take one drink, and you're off for the whole weekend."
Brecknell told Slater that, if he committed a further offence while using alcohol, he would be going to prison. "There are a lot of good parents in prison," he said. "Being a parent doesn't shield you from prison."
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Last Updated ( Monday, 24 November 2008 )
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