A Rumsey man who used pepper spray on a man after breaking into a house was sentenced to 21 months in jail in Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday.
Judge John Holmes sentenced 39-year-old Lyle Gordon Hampton to the jail term, less 17 months and 19 days for the time he has already served.
Hampton pleaded guilty to a number of charges in connection with three separate incidents.
Court heard that he had been involved in an assault and threats involving a former girlfriend in the summer of 2009.
He then got in trouble on March 18, 2010, when he broke into a house in Red Deer where he then used pepper spray against a man.
Defence lawyer Akram Attia said that his client had gotten involved with a woman who was addicted to methamphetamine and as a result, he became addicted too. Hampton was told that this woman was being held against her will inside the Red Deer home, Attia said.
“He was told these were drug addicts (in the house),” said Attia. “His intent was to go in there and save her.”
Attia said that Hampton was drug-induced at the time. The victim has made a full recovery, he added.
Hampton also made harassing phone calls against a woman in August 2010, shortly after being released from custody in regards to the March 2010 incident.
Attia said that Hampton is remorseful for what he has done and has been free of drugs for the last 17 months. He also has the support of his family, Attia said.
Hampton displays a “moderate risk” to reoffend, according to a psychiatric evaluation, so serving in the community wasn’t the best, Holmes said.
Holmes said the break-in in March 2010 also involved duct tape and ammunition. Hampton knew the house was occupied at the time, Holmes said.
Regarding the 2009 incident, Hampton received one month for assault and another month for threats, which was to be served concurrently. Hampton received 18 months on the break-in with assault, then 18 months to run concurrently for assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon.
He received two months for harrassing phone calls, and another two months concurrent for unlawful harrassment.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com