The offender, M.A., was found guilty after a three-day trial of assaulting his then-wife, involving striking her, covering her mouth, and holding her neck, causing difficulty breathing.
The prosecution sought six months imprisonment, while the offender sought a conditional sentence.
The court considered aggravating factors (intimate partner violence, presence of child, complainant's recent surgery, significant emotional harm) and mitigating factors (first offender, 43 years old, sole caregiver for four children, employed, volunteer work, cognitive behavioural therapy, favourable pre-sentence report, low risk to re-offend).
The court imposed a 12-month conditional sentence, followed by 18 months probation, along with a DNA order and a five-year weapons prohibition, emphasizing denunciation and deterrence while recognizing the offender's rehabilitative efforts and good character.