An accused kidnapper testified Friday his ex-girlfriend came along willingly with him for a ride to talk about their relationship.
Kenneth Robert Deck, 37, of Red Deer, told Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench his former girlfriend was actually trying to beat him when they drove along Taylor Drive on Feb. 10, 2009.
In lengthy testimony laced with copious amounts of profanity and hundreds of “whatevers”, Deck said he never forced the 21-year-old woman to come along nor did he intentionally hit her while he drove.
Deck is charged with kidnapping, assault causing bodily harm, three counts of uttering threats, criminal harassment, two counts of mischief, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful confinement.
The trial was expected to conclude Friday but defence lawyer David Wilson of Sherwood Park expects to call another witness before closing arguments can be made, followed by Justice John Gill’s decision.
Deck said his relationship with the alleged victim was abusive and tumultuous at most times.
He said in 15 months before last Feb. 10 they split up and got back together numerous times.
Deck acknowledged he had smashed the woman’s car window out on Jan. 23 and damaged the steering column, as well as punching another man in the face outside the woman’s residence.
He said he went to her house on Feb. 10 in an angry state wanting to talk to the woman who had told her not to come to the residence.
Deck said the woman then willingly got into his car after he blocked her from leaving in her vehicle.
He said the woman was yelling and flailing her arms at him while he drove and attempted to push her off with one hand.
He said at one point he nearly lost control of the wheel.
“I was defending both of us because she put us at risk on the road,” Deck told Crown prosecutor Murray McPherson.
The incident ended at the intersection of Taylor Drive and Hwy 11A for a red light around 1 p.m.
The woman managed to escape and sought refuge with another woman motorist who testified earlier.
McPherson told Deck he was heading out of town to beat the ex-girlfriend.
“In reality you were going to take her into the country and beat her up . . . to give her what she deserved,” McPherson said.
Deck denied that.
The alleged victim testified earlier she was forced into Deck’s car and punched several times before escaping.
The victim said she had been phoned and harassed by Deck after she moved in with her cousin in October.
She suffered a cut lip, scratches, cuts inside her mouth, bruises and bumps.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com