A Similkameen man who smashed through the front door of a Cawston home to assault a woman he was infatuated with has been sentenced to nine months in prison.
Jason James Glen Hibbs, 38, was sentenced in Penticton court Friday (Nov. 15) on charges of break-and-enter and assault with a weapon. Upon his release, he will be on probation for two years.
“I’m terribly sorry for what I did, I’m not a criminal,” Hibbs pleaded with Judge Michelle Daneliuk after being sentenced. “Nine months is a long time.”
On April 17, 2018, a woman alone at home in Cawston heard yelling and banging on her doors and windows. She recognized Hibbs as a former friend and coworker who she had recently told she could not continue to associate with because of his drinking.
When she heard the door smash open, she tried to make a dash for the bedroom to lock the door and call 911, but was cut off by Hibbs who pushed her to the ground.
Hibbs crumpled the woman’s glasses and demanded to see her phone, grabbing her by the hair and placing his hand around her throat, threatening to kill her. After breaking loose, the woman was able to stand up at which point Hibbs produced a pocket knife and threatened her with it.
The victim was eventually able to de-escalate the situation by offering Hibbs beer, allowing her to lock herself in the bathroom and call 911. By the time police arrived, Hibbs had fled.
He was arrested shortly afterward, very intoxicated, in possession of the described pocket knife.
Prior to the incident, Hibbs, a severe alcoholic, had confessed his love for the victim. He had threatened to harm the victim’s husband and son, often through threatening voicemails, although he would apologize for them once sober.
A pre-sentence report noted Hibbs’ plan to deal with his alcoholism was essentially just switching from hard liquor to beer, something Judge Daneliuk seized on during the sentencing.
“It is evident that the most significant risk factor for reoffending by Mr. Hibbs related to excessive consumption of alcohol, and accordingly, I intend to do what I can to ensure that Mr. Hibbs is required to address his alcohol abuse,” Daneliuk said, adding the accused had done nothing to obtain treatment while out on bail.
The defence sought a 90-day intermittent sentence while the Crown argued for two years in prison. Hibbs had no prior criminal record.
For the first 12 months of probation, Hibbs will be prohibited from possessing or consuming drugs or alcohol. The following 12 months will bar him from possessing it outside his home. He will also be required to attend treatment.
“This gives me absolutely no pleasure to sentence you to custody, but as you’ve heard me explain to you… I’m trying to impose a probation order on you that will assist with rehabilitation,” Daneliuk said.
— Colin Dacre, Castanet
