PORT HARDY—A Port Alice man received a five-month conditional sentence order on charges of domestic assault causing bodily harm during proceedings in Port Hardy Provincial Court last week.
Shane Karaim was taken into custody by RCMP after girlfriend Bonny Anderson reported that she had been assaulted in her home in Port Alice following drinks with a few friends.
The court heard that Anderson approached the police with two black eyes and a laceration over her right eye.
The couple had reportedly been doing fine until the drinking began, at which point a verbal argument broke out. Karaim lashed out at Anderson, punching her six times with closed fists while yelling abuse.
Karaim had a previous domestic incident with Anderson, and was in breach of an order not to be in the presence of Anderson while consuming alcohol.
Karaim expressed remorse for his actions to the court, claiming that due to his inebriated state, he was not aware of his actions until police approached him the next day.
Counsel for the defendant also claimed that Anderson was in full support of Karaim being released into the community.
Judge Tony Dohm ruled that Karaim would receive a conditional sentence order for five months, with a two-year probation order. The terms of the sentence included orders that Karaim is not to possess or consume any alcohol, and he is not able to see Anderson until he has made sufficient progress with his mental health.
Partners seek return
In another domestic assault case, Michael Binns put forth an application to return to his common-law spouse, who is pregnant with their child.
The victim reported to police that she had been assaulted by her husband on July 4 and 5 in Port McNeill, a report that was supported by a neighbour who had heard the second altercation.
The court heard that Binns hit his partner on the shoulder while they were parked inside a vehicle. In their shared apartment the next day, Binns dumped over her chair and pulled her hair while shouting abuse.
The victim appeared in court last Tuesday in full support of her husband returning to their household, due to the fact that she is three months pregnant with their child. Judge Dohm allowed Binns' request, with a no-alcohol condition.
On the assault charge, Binns received a suspended sentence with a 12-month probation, along with a victim surcharge and DNA order.
Mischief nets suspended sentence
Pauline Bruce underwent her first adult trial for mischief causing $5000 or under of damage.
Bruce was taken into custody by RCMP for public intoxication, and began spitting through the divide when placed inside the police car. This caused damage to the computer inside, as well as an obvious biohazard.
The next day, she was found in breach of a previous order, as she was seen intoxicated again by the constable on duty.
This was the first adult trial for Bruce, who has a previous juvenile record. She is eighteen and taking care of a son.
She received a 12-month suspended sentence, and Judge Dohm recommended that she attend a residential treatment program located on Alert Bay.
The judge did not sentence her to the thirty hours of community service the Crown recommended, as he noted that Bruce has "major responsibilities to attend to right now," highlighting her duty to her son.