A man who kicked in a door then was present when associates severely beat a man over a debt was sentenced to 20 months in jail Monday.
Timothy Godfrey, 29, of Red Deer, had the sentence satisfied by the 10 months he has spent in custody awaiting his Court of Queen’s Bench trial, which was to have started Monday.
At present, courts generally offer a two-for-one arrangement for time spent in pre-trial custody.
Godfrey pleaded guilty to break and enter with intent to commit an assault in connection with the Feb. 4, 2008, incident at a Red Deer residence.
He had been charged with aggravated assault and being disguised while committing an offence.
The break-in conviction was in relation to the assault charge while being masked was withdrawn by Crown prosecutor Dean Zuk.
Godfrey was also placed on probation for a year and must surrender a sample of his DNA.
He was also prohibited for life from owning or possessing firearms, ammunition and explosives.
He had several break-in convictions on his record, court heard.
Zuk said Godfrey kicked in the victim’s door about 11:30 p.m.
People accompanying the assailant proceeded to drag the victim to the basement where they beat him with weapons.
They had come to collect a debt, court heard.
The victim suffered several injuries including a broken hand and cuts requiring 58 staples and 15 stitches to repair, Zuk said.
Godfrey wasn’t arrested until July 31, 2008.
Justice K. M. Horner of Calgary heard the sentence was a joint submission between Zuk and defence lawyer Lorne Goddard.
Goddard said the Crown would have had some difficulty proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt if the case had gone to trial.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com