Prince Albert Provincial Court. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Violent robbery at Prince Albert apartment building results in 15-month sentence for youth

Dec 28, 2022 | 1:00 PM

A 17-year-old boy, who played a role in a violent assault at a Prince Albert apartment building, has received a 15-month sentence.

The youth who cannot be named, as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared by video for Wednesday morning’s sentencing hearing at the provincial courthouse. He previously entered guilty pleas to aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and breach of court conditions.

On the day of the incident, a 53-year-old man, leaving his residence at Rivercrest Apartments, was attacked and robbed of his cellphone in the hallway.

As per video shown in court, the man was repeatedly punched and kicked, bear sprayed, and hit over the head with a machete. Already dealing with a number of underlying health conditions, the man spent a number of weeks in hospital with injuries to his heads and hands.

“The video obviously shocked me, should shock everybody,” Provincial Court Judge Hugh Harradence noted. Harradence reserved his decision one week to allow time to review the evidence and the contents of the pre-sentence report.

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Reading excerpts from the report, Harradence noted the youth, who was 16 at the time, showed a lack of empathy for his actions, and essentially placed all the blame on his co-accused. When asked what he had learned, the youth replied his lesson was to not assault people on camera.

Reading further into the report, Harradence said he was encouraged and given some hope, by the youth’s admittance to having difficulty and willingness to receive treatment, get counseling, and pursue pro-social activities such as joining a sports team.

“I can tell you change is in your best interest,” Harradence said sternly to the youth, noting if the youth engages in further activities as an adult, the system will react swiftly.

The joint submission from the crown and the defence, and accepted by Harradence, is for a period of 10 months open custody, followed by five months of community supervision. Open custody essentially means the youth will be housed at the youth residence but can leave to attend school.

Following his release from custody, the youth will be prohibited from owning any firearms or ammunition for a period of two years.

The co-accused, and the man alleged to have struck the victim with the machete, Gerald Bear, is awaiting trial at Court of King’s Bench.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell