Judge will not tolerate spousal assault

H.P. Court Docket
Judge Bill Paul

Even the most minor of spousal assaults cannot be tolerated, a Whitecourt man was told before sentencing in High Prairie provincial court Oct. 1. William Louis Lambert, 59, formerly of High Prairie, was fined $230 including victim fine surcharge after pleading guilty to assaulting his common-law wife. The fact that the assault was minor and that he was slapped himself in retaliation saved Lambert from further punishment. Crown prosecutor Cameron Jose said police responded to a 9-1-1 call at Prairie River Manor Apartments. Upon their arrival, they could hear the couple arguing. They arrested Lambert, who was immediately cooperative with police. Jose said the couple were in the bar drinking when they began to argue over money matters. Lambert slapped his wife and she responded by slapping him back. Court heard Lambert had an unrelated criminal record and no convictions since 1990. Duty counsel lawyer Harry Jong spoke for Lambert in court. He said the man, 59, was employed in Whitecourt. “He tells me it was her birthday,” said Jong. “When he does drink he can drink quite a bit. They were arguing over money problems.” A court order prohibited the two from contacting each other pending the case was in effect. “They want to get back together,” said Jong. Court also received a letter from the woman saying the incident was “out of character” for Lambert. Judge Bill Paul agreed with Jose and fined Lambert $230 with time to pay granted to Dec. 1. He told Lambert, however, that spousal assaults are serious matters and that violence is no way of settling arguments. * * * * * * * Chantel Upstone appeared in court and pleading guilty to assault. Upstone got into an argument with the female victim and hit her, Crown prosecutor Cameron Jose told court. The argument involved some name-calling and escalated. Apparently, Jose added, the two had previous disagreements before the incident. Upstone had no criminal record before her appearance. Native Counselling Services of Alberta court worker Karen Badger appeared in court with Upstone. “She apologizes for her actions,” said Badger. Upstone now lives in Edmonton with her mother and plans on returning to school in January. Judge Bill Paul agreed with a joint submission from Jose and Badger and gave Upstone a conditional discharge. “Violence is never the answer,” Judge Paul told Upstone. “Miss Upstone, I accept this has been brought home to you.” Judge Paul agreed a conditional discharge was in order. He placed Upstone on probation for nine months under several conditions. For the first three months, Upstone is under an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew. Should Upstone complete her probation, the charge will be dismissed. If not, she will be brought back to court for sentencing and she will have a criminal record. * * * * * * * Priscilla D. Anderson was prohibited from driving for one year and fined $690 after pleading guilty to drunk driving. Crown prosecutor Cameron Jose told court that Anderson, 37, of Atikameg, was observed by police driving east in the wrong lane by Big Lakes Dodge on the night in question. Later, the lowest of two blood alcohol samples revealed a level of .120, a relatively low reading for impaired drivers. Duty counsel lawyer Harry Jong spoke for Anderson in court. “She went to the bar with four others,” said Jong. “The designated driver left the bar with others. She thought she was under.” Court also heard Anderson was “forthright” and admitted her guilt to police. Judge Bill Paul appreciated Anderson’s honestly and said the matter appeared to be out of character for her. Anderson previously had a clean criminal record. Judge Paul granted Anderson the right to apply for the Interlock program after three months. Time to pay the fine, which included victim fine surcharge, was granted to April 1, 2008.

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