Catherine Szpulak

The offender pled guilty to possession of cocaine and possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking.

The court considered the extreme danger of fentanyl as an aggravating factor, balanced against the offender's youth, lack of criminal record, guilty pleas, and rehabilitation efforts.

The court determined an 18-month sentence was appropriate.

After applying 1.5:1 credit for 449 days of pre-sentence custody, which included frequent lockdowns due to staff shortages, the offender had served the equivalent of 22 months.

The offender was sentenced to one day in custody followed by two years of probation.

The accused was charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon after striking the complainant on the back of the head with a drinking glass at a bar.

The accused claimed self-defence under section 34 of the Criminal Code.

The court found that while there was an air of reality to the self-defence claim based on the accused's evidence regarding her anxiety and prior abusive relationships, the Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the force used was not reasonable in the circumstances.

The accused's response was grossly disproportionate to the threat posed.

The accused was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm, with the assault with a weapon charge stayed pursuant to the Kienapple principle.

Sentencing was adjourned.