A 17-year-old male involved in near-fatal attack with a sword in Red Deer was sentenced on Thursday to 10 months in jail followed by five months of open custody under close supervision.
Red Deer provincial court Judge Jim Hunter also sentenced the youth, who is from Camrose, to nine months probation.
“The man was almost killed as a result of this incident. It doesn’t get much more serious than that,” said Hunter during the sentencing in youth court.
The victim, a 22-year-old Rocky Mountain House man, suffered deep and wide gashes to his neck and arm from the sword attack that occurred outside, in north Red Deer, around 4:10 a.m. on Sept. 4.
Since it was a serious violent offence, the judge ordered a DNA sample from the youth and a 10-year weapons prohibition.
The youth, whose identity is protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was originally charged with attempted murder. He ended up pleading guilty to aggravated assault.
Two other charges, including assault with a weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon, were withdrawn.
According to a pre-sentence report, the youth brought the weapon and started the attack.
Hunter said the victim suffered emotionally as well as physically.
He was so fearful after the attacks that he slept with a weapon.
The victim has returned to work but has lost feeling on the left side of his face.
The youth pleaded guilty in early November. Prosecutor Denis Huot recognized the youth’s early guilty plea following discussions between the Crown and defence.
Defence lawyer Michael Scrase said his client is remorseful and was co-operative with police from the beginning.
Scrase said his client has lived in foster and group homes almost from birth.
“He has no family relations. It’s a sad situation for a young person to grow up with no parents,” Scrase said.
While in custody, the youth has been working on completing Grade 11.
Hunter was concerned that even though the youth acknowledged his substance abuse, the youth didn’t consider it an issue.
Ten months in remand will provide a supportive and structured environment, as well as consequence for his crime, the judge said.
An adult was also charged after the attack.
Dylan Cameron Huhn, 20, of Red Deer is scheduled for a trial on May 4 and 5, 2011, in Red Deer on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, two counts of assault with a weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon and two counts of failing to comply with previous court conditions.