A former member of Canada’s once elite but then ultimately disgraced parachute battalion was jailed Wednesday for knifing a man in the face.
Marvin Richard Guesford, 49, of Sylvan Lake was sentenced to 14 months in jail during a sentence hearing in Red Deer provincial court.
Guesford was convicted of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public after a trial in January. The verdict was rendered in late March, but sentencing was adjourned to allow for preparation of a pre-sentence report.
A former member of the disbanded Canadian Airborne Regiment, Guesford was trained in hand-to-hand combat.
The unit was disbanded several years ago after at least three members were charged with the murder of a Somalian civilian while it was stationed there as part of a United Nations force.
On Sept. 2, 2009, in Sylvan Lake, Guesford punched the victim, Maurice Marshall, in the face while holding a military knife. Marshall suffered a jaw wound that required about 40 stitches and will bear a scar for life, Crown prosecutor Murray McPherson said.
McPherson had proposed a sentence of 12 to 18 months in jail.
During the trial Guesford said he only wanted to scare Marshall, who allegedly had threatened to shoot Guesford and Marshall’s ex-common law wife.
But Judge Gordon Deck said Guesford did not show Marshall the knife.
Instead, he held the knife down by his side before punching Marshall in the mouth with the knife protruding from his fist.
Deck said earlier Guesford had other options, such as calling the police who were located only a few blocks away or locking the door, if he believed his family and property needed protection.
Guesford’s lawyer, Arnold Piragoff, argued for a short sentence of 90 days or less so his client could stay working and take anger management courses.
Guesford had previous convictions for assault causing bodily harm and assault.
He was also placed on probation for two years.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com