Stacey Siopsis

The accused pleaded guilty to domestic violence offences (assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats) after hearing evidence from the complainant and recordings entered into evidence.

The Crown sought a 90-day conditional jail sentence followed by one year of probation.

The defence sought a conditional discharge.

The court imposed a conditional discharge with 18 months of probation, finding that despite the domestic violence context and statutory aggravating factors, the accused's rehabilitation efforts, lack of criminal record, positive pre-sentence report, genuine remorse, and significant collateral consequences (inability to sponsor his pregnant spouse and impact on his business) warranted this disposition.

A 19-year-old first-time offender pleaded guilty to nine counts: six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in various Schedule I substances (cocaine, crack cocaine, MDA, MDMA, fentanyl, and heroin), one count of possession of proceeds of crime ($1,070), and two counts of possession of firearms without a licence.

Police discovered approximately $300,000 worth of drugs, two loaded firearms (a Tikka rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun), and various weapons in the accused's apartment.

The court imposed a sentence of four years and nine months (57 months), less 21 days of pre-trial custody credited at 1.5 days, resulting in 56 months to be served concurrently on the drug and proceeds counts, with 30 months concurrent on the firearms counts.

The court balanced serious aggravating factors (nature and quantity of drugs, loaded firearms, commercial enterprise) against significant mitigating factors (youth, lack of criminal record, guilty plea, strong family support, and rehabilitation prospects).