COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO

DATE: 20000207

DOCKET: C33247

RE: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN (Respondent) v. ERNEST JOHN
WARD (Appellant)

BEFORE: McMURTRY C.J.O., MOLDAVER and GOUDGE JJ.A.

COUNSEL: Paula Beard
for the appellant

Jamie Klukach
for the respondent

HEARD: February 3, 2000

On appeal from the sentence imposed by Hogg J. on July 16, 1999

E N D O R S E M E N T

[1] While it would have been preferable had the trial judge given more extensive reasons for imposing the sentence of one year, we are not persuaded that the sentence was unfit.

[2] The appellant has a horrendous criminal record dating back to 1972. Notably, it includes numerous offences involving violence. The appellant suffers from a long-standing alcohol problem and untreated, he poses a continuing threat to society. The instant offences were serious and committed while the appellant was on probation for a prior offence involving violence towards the same victim, his ex-spouse.

[3] Accordingly, leave to appeal sentence is granted but the appeal is dismissed.