The bus driver, assaulted Wednesday afternoon, was not seriously hurt. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘This was your last chance’: bus driver assault leads to jail sentence

Jan 22, 2021 | 11:39 AM

A woman who punched a Prince Albert city bus driver on the chin, after being refused entry onto the bus, has received a three-month jail sentence.

Maxine Charles, 29, appeared via video Friday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court and entered a guilty plea to the assault charge.

“I do understand I need to get treatment” _{– Maxine Charles}

The incident happened Wednesday around 3 p.m. According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown prosecutor John Morall, Charles was intoxicated at the time, and was involved in a separate incident on another city bus prior to the assault.

“The victim was not injured but wanted charges because he was fed up with being mistreated on the job,” he said.

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After assaulting the driver, Charles then walked southbound and was arrested on the steps of YWCA Our House.

“She did say she was sorry at that point. The accused said she was doing so well and that she screwed up,” Morall said.

The sentence imposed on Charles will run consecutive to the 15-month conditional sentence order (CSO) she was serving in the community at the time. The CSO has now been terminated with 237 days left to serve in jail.

Morall, who was seeking a six-month jail sentence for the assault, explained Charles had breached her court order four times.

“It’s simply clear she cannot follow this CSO. She’s been given quite a few opportunities and what we have here is an escalation of behaviour,” he said.

Acknowledging the assault does not fall on the high end of crimes that come before the court, Morall said the incident was still serious in nature and required a message to be sent, as the victim was in a vulnerable situation.

“Obviously bus drivers, especially in this city, do have a fairly difficult job. They are by themselves and they have to deal with unruly passengers at times,” he said.

Asking for a three-month jail sentence, and a suspension of the CSO, defence lawyer Estelle Hjertaas explained Charles had no memory of the incident and despite attempts to deal with her addictions issues was still prone to “slip ups.”

When given the opportunity to speak, Charles again apologized for what she had done.

“I was really trying this time… I do understand I need to get treatment,” she said.

Prior to ordering a three-month jail sentence and terminating the CSO, Saskatchewan Provincial Court Judge Felicia Daunt said the sentence must reflect the victim’s vulnerability.

“I also agree with the Crown you’ve been given lots of chances on this CSO and this was your last chance,” she said.

—

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell