I. Gavran

The accused, a first-time offender and single mother, acted as a surety for her brother who faced serious firearms charges.

Despite assuring the court she would strictly supervise him, she failed to enforce his bail conditions, turned a blind eye to his breaches, and actively assisted him in escaping police by providing scissors to cut off his GPS ankle monitor.

She pleaded guilty to obstructing justice.

The Crown sought a sentence of two years less a day imprisonment, while the defence proposed a 3-6 month conditional sentence.

The sentencing judge held that the accused's actions struck at the heart of the bail system, making denunciation and deterrence paramount.

After considering the accused's background, rehabilitative prospects, and the collateral consequences on her child, the court determined that a conditional sentence would not adequately denounce the conduct.

A 12-month custodial sentence was imposed.

The accused pleaded guilty to attempting to obstruct justice by providing scissors to her brother to cut off his GPS ankle monitor.

At a Gardiner hearing to determine disputed aggravating facts for sentencing, the Crown alleged the accused knew of her brother's repeated bail breaches, offered to provide a false alibi, and failed to enforce the residency requirement of his bail.

The court found the Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused failed to enforce the residency requirement by maintaining a separate residence, but failed to prove she had knowledge of all his breaches or offered to provide a false alibi.