R. Chu

The accused was charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and several firearms offences after a single-vehicle crash.

The court found the accused was in possession of a handgun and extended magazine found in the vehicle, but acquitted him of the fentanyl charge due to a lack of evidence connecting him to the drugs.

However, the court ultimately acquitted the accused of the firearms offences as well, finding that significant gaps in the continuity of the evidence over a 19-month period raised a reasonable doubt as to whether the items tested by the firearms officer were the same items seized from the accused.

The accused pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after stabbing a convenience store clerk 17 times while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The unprovoked attack left the victim with a permanent disability in his hand.

The court accepted a joint submission, sentencing the accused to 3.5 years in custody, less 18 months of pre-sentence custody credit, leaving 2 years to be served in the penitentiary.