Good Samaritan feared for his life

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

A man offering kindness to a girl and her adult boyfriend ended up afraid for his life during a bizarre incident Sept. 7. Details of the incident, which landed the girl in High Prairie youth court Sept. 17, were disclosed by Crown prosecutor Sheila Jonker. The girl, whose name cannot be published because of provisions in the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty to assault and uttering threats to cause bodily harm. The incident began when the girl and her boyfriend approached a 67-year-old man at a KFC store in Edmonton. “The accused asked the victim for food and cigarettes,” said Jonker. “They claimed they were homeless.” The man eventually gave the couple a ride but later discovered they were consuming cocaine. During the ride to a hotel in Onoway, Alta., their behaviour changed radically. “The victim became fearful,” said Jonker. The next day, the trip continued to High Prairie where matters escalated. The girl and her boyfriend got into an argument and began fighting. “Near Swan Hills she was thinking about jumping out of the truck,” said Jonker. The victim was ordered to stop the truck and she took the keys. The fight escalated. “The accused was angry (at the victim) for not helping her,” said Jonker, adding the girl threatened to kill the victim. Eventually, all three got back into the truck and continued to High Prairie. During the trip, the boyfriend pressed his hand against the back of the neck of the driver. The three stopped at Kinuso where the driver was forced to pay for meals. Once they arrived home, the girl slapped the driver in the face. Police were called to the scene and the girl and her boyfriend were arrested. Both were drunk. Jonker asked High Prairie youth court Judge Thomas R. Goodson to consider a year of probation and a 12-15-month curfew. Lawyer Harry Jong represented the girl in youth court. He first told Judge Goodson the girl wanted to end the relationship. “The man wanted to have her back. They argued all the way home. “She did say a few things she regrets,” concluded Jong. Judge Goodson placed the girl on probation for one year under strict orders including assessment and therapy as ordered and a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew until Dec. 21. An absolute abstention clause was also ordered. “Her behaviour is little bit odd,” said Judge Goodson. “She was somewhat manipulated by her boyfriend.” Judge Goodson then scolded the girl. “You have a mind of your own,” he told her. “If you want to be a criminal, you’ll be treated like a criminal.”

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