Court File and Parties
Court File No. CR-19-00000003-0000
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
v.
SYMON PRYJMA
REASONS FOR SENTENCE
BEFORE THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE M. FUERST
On April 26, 2019, at BARRIE, Ontario
APPEARANCES:
R. Jones Counsel for the Crown
D. Gosbee Counsel for Symon Pryjma
Table of Contents
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Reasons for Sentence Page 1
Transcript Ordered: May 1, 2019
Transcript Completed: July 30, 2019
Ordering Party Notified: July 30, 2019
Reasons for Sentence
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019
R E A S O N S F O R S E N T E N C E
FUERST, J. (Orally):
Sometimes otherwise law-abiding people get involved in activity they shouldn’t, simply to make some easy money. This is unfortunately one of those cases.
Trafficking in cocaine is a serious offence, especially when it’s carried out for commercial gain. Cocaine is an insidious drug. It is not harmless. It causes harm to those who use it and also to society at large because of individuals who end up suffering from substance abuse issues. And that is why sentences for cocaine traffickers, even first-time offenders, are substantial.
That said, there are many mitigating factors in this particular case. Mr. Pryjma has no criminal record. He pleaded guilty at a relatively early stage, which is a sign of his remorse and his willingness to accept responsibility for his actions. He has held steady employment over many years and obviously is a good worker. He has family support. It is not at all typical that employers offer to hold jobs available while their employees go to jail to serve significant sentences, but in this case, Mr. Pryjma’s employer has done just that and has confirmed it in a letter to me. The employer describes Mr. Pryjma as an important asset to his company, and that is to Mr. Pryjma’s credit.
In all of the circumstances, I accept the joint submission that was put to me by Crown and defence counsel.
Mr. Pryjma, would you please stand.
On count 2, I sentence you to 2 and a half years in jail. On count 1, I sentence you to six months in jail to be served concurrently. I make a DNA order on both counts and a s. 109(2)(a) weapons prohibition order for ten years and a s. 109(2)(b) weapons prohibition order for life.
I recommend that Mr. Pryjma be placed in minimum security and that he be considered for any early release program.
THE COURT: You can sit down, sir.
MR. PRYJMA: Thank you, Your Honour.
THE COURT: The other counts, Ms. Jones?
MS. JONES: Yes. Can I just get Your Honour to sign the forfeiture order that is on consent?
THE COURT: And, yes, and I order forfeiture on consent as set out in the order passed to me.
MS. JONES: Thank you. So, the other counts, counts 3 and 4 can be marked withdrawn.
Certificate of Transcript
FORM 2
Certificate of Transcript
Evidence Act, subsection 5(2)
I, Helena Tsapoitis-Barbesin, certify that this document is a true and accurate transcript of the recording of R. v. Symon Pryjma, in the Superior Court of Justice, held at 75 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, Ontario, taken from Recording No. 3811_01_20190426_083626_10_FUERSTM.dcr, dated April 26, 2019, which has been certified in Form 1 by Simone Wray.
This certification does not apply to Reasons for Sentence, which were judicially edited.
July 30, 2019
______________________________ ________________________________________
Date (Authorized Transcriptionist)
Helena Tsapoitis-Barbesin
ACT ID# 2372561617
416-889-6054