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Fear drove man to defend ‘loved ones and property’

A former member of Canada’s disbanded airborne regiment testified on Friday that fear drove him to punch a man in the face while holding a military knife.

A former member of Canada’s disbanded airborne regiment testified on Friday that fear drove him to punch a man in the face while holding a military knife.

Marvin Richard Guesford, 49, of Sylvan Lake, told Red Deer provincial court that he feared the victim, Maurice Marshall, may have had a gun during the incident on Sept. 2, 2009, in Sylvan Lake.

Guesford, who served 10 years in the Canadian Forces, including six months with the now disbanded Airborne Regiment in Somalia, told court he was trained in hand-to-hand combat.

He’s on trial for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.

Guesford said he feared Marshall had come to the house armed with a gun because he had threatened on the phone earlier that day to shoot Guesford and his ex-common law wife. Three teenagers were also in the house.

Guesford said when he was told Marshall was coming to the house, he acted to defend “his loved ones and property.”

He grabbed a 20-cm knife from a drawer and went outside. He said Marshall rushed at him with a closed fist cocked above his head.

Guesford punched him first in the mouth area, believing he had only hit him with his fist. Marshall was knocked down and Guesford quickly went into the house and phoned police.

Guesford agreed with the Crown that he could have cut Marshall if he punched him with his right hand.

Guesford said he only had the knife to “scare” Marshall.

Marshall, 49, suffered a facial wound that required about 40 stitches. He testified earlier that he didn’t know why Guesford lashed out at him.

Marshall said he couldn’t recall ever making phone threats to the woman or Guesford.

The trial ended on Friday. Judge Gordon Deck will issue a verdict on March 15.

jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com