A youth aged 17 years and one month committed two counts of attempted murder and one count of sexual assault against a mother and her five-year-old child in their home on February 28, 2011.
The Crown applied for an adult sentence under section 72 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The court found that the offences were extremely serious, involving a prolonged attack including sexual assault, repeated violent physical assaults, and a deliberate attempt to murder both victims by setting a fire.
The offender had limited cognitive abilities, borderline intellectual functioning, and a family background that fostered antisocial attitudes.
While the offender demonstrated positive behaviour and engagement in programming during pre-sentence detention, his progress was slow and his insight into the harm caused to victims was limited.
The court determined that a youth sentence would be insufficient to hold the offender accountable and that an adult sentence was necessary to provide for continued rehabilitation in a structured setting and a lengthy period of community supervision.
