Bryan Guertin

The offender was convicted of sexually abusing his stepdaughter between the ages of four and twelve.

The Crown sought a seven-year penitentiary sentence, while the defence sought a conditional sentence or reformatory term, citing the offender's mental health issues, lack of criminal record, and the historical nature of the offences.

Applying the principles from R. v. Friesen, the court emphasized denunciation and deterrence for sexual offences against children.

The court sentenced the offender to five years' imprisonment, balancing the profound harm caused to the victim against the offender's mental illness and rehabilitative efforts.

A 20-year-old offender pleaded guilty to kidnapping with a firearm, extortion with a firearm, aggravated assault, possession of a loaded restricted firearm, possession for the purpose of trafficking in crack cocaine and methamphetamine, and breach of probation.

The offender, along with two co-accused, kidnapped and assaulted a victim over four hours using a loaded handgun, threatening the victim and his family, and ultimately obtaining $200.

The offender was subsequently found in possession of significant quantities of Schedule I drugs.

The sentencing court imposed a global sentence of eight years less pre-trial custody credit, balancing the serious nature of firearm-related offences with the offender's youth, genuine remorse, guilty plea, and rehabilitation prospects.

The defendant brought a bail review application seeking release from custody on charges of unauthorized possession of a loaded restricted handgun, possession of over-capacity magazines, and possession of ammunition.

The defendant had been in custody since August 17, 2018.

The Crown opposed release, emphasizing the serious nature of the firearm offences, the presence of ammunition, evidence of children in the home, and concerns about the sureties' ability to monitor.

The defence argued for release based on a material change in circumstances, including the withdrawal of a reverse-onus charge, the proposed supervision plan with three sureties, and concerns about pre-trial custody approaching sentence length.

The court found the defendant had not met the onus to demonstrate a substantial or material change in circumstances but left the door open for renewal in August after trial proceedings.

The accused applied for an order permitting him to sit at counsel table rather than in the prisoner's dock during his upcoming trial.

The Crown opposed the application, citing the accused's lengthy criminal record and past courtroom outbursts, though acknowledging he was not an escape risk.

The court granted the application, preferring the line of authority that locating an accused outside the prisoner's dock better reflects the presumption of innocence.

The court ordered that the accused be permitted to sit at counsel table, subject to discreet security measures.

The accused was tried for sexual assault and unlawful confinement of a young employee following a work-related meeting at the accused's home.

The employee became highly intoxicated and passed out, later waking up to find the accused sexually touching him.

The court applied the W.(D.) framework to assess credibility, rejecting the accused's denials and relying on the complainant's testimony, which was supported by circumstantial DNA evidence.

The accused was found guilty of sexual assault but acquitted of unlawful confinement due to reasonable doubt regarding physical restraint.