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Woman pleads to judge for mercy on her boyfriend
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
A weeping woman pleaded with a judge to let her boyfriend come home despite being assaulted during a camping trip this summer.
But Judge G.W. Paul had other ideas after sentencing Gordon Leslie Woods, 45, to 30 days in jail during High Prairie provincial court proceedings Oct. 19.
“This was a vulnerable victim in bed and choked to the point of unconsciousness,” said Judge Paul.
Woods, who appeared in court via closed circuit TV from the Edmonton Remand Centre, pleaded guilty to assault, uttering threats, overcoming resistance to the commission of a crime, and failing to appear in court.
Crown prosecutor Cameron Jose told Judge Paul the incident occurred June 15 at Joussard’s Lakeshore Campground after the two began arguing.
“He got upset and left,” said Jose. “He returned and apologized. She let him in the tent. He then hit her in the head and back. He hit her in the face.”
Woods then allegedly told the woman he had murdered before and would do it again.
“He tightened her hands around her throat,” said Jose, adding the woman passed out from the force of the attack.
Later, the woman was finally able to leave and spoke to her stepfather. He was going to the scene when he encountered Woods, who said he was going to Edmonton.
Jose told court Wood was drunk at the time.
“There seems to be some problem with alcohol and drugs,” said Jose.
After Woods’s criminal record was presented to court, the woman’s victim impact statement was filed. She was then granted the right to speak.
“This is the first time anything happened,” she told Judge Paul. “I know what did it – it was the alcohol and drugs. I just want him to come back home.”
Jose asked Judge Paul to send Woods to prison for 3-4 months and order counselling and treatment as part of a subsequent probation order.
Duty counsel lawyer Murray Pelletier spoke for Woods and told court his client was employed as a machinist.
“It was a drunken night. He submits he needs help for his anger management and alcohol.”
Woods also spoke to court after Judge Paul granted him permission.
“This stems from a drunken night,” he said. “I accept responsibility for my part in it. From the bottom of my heart I don’t want anything like this to happen again.”
Judge Paul accepted Woods’s remorse but was bound by law.
“I give you credit for your apology today,” he said. “But it’s the court’s role to denounce. . .I must still be mindful of the function I am to serve.”
Judge Paul sentenced Wooods to 30 days concurrent on the assault, uttering threats and overcoming resistance charge. He also fined him $230 or two days in lieu for not attending court Aug. 10 to answer to charges. Time to pay was waived.
However, Judge Paul did not agree with Jose to place Woods on probation after his release.
“You’re 45, you shouldn’t need the help of this court to decide what to do,” he told Woods.
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