A sentence hearing for man convicted of slashing another man in the face went awry Friday owing to pre-sentence report.
Marvin Richard Guesford, 49, of Sylvan Lake will be sentenced on Sept. 7 after an up-to-date report.
Guesford was convicted of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public following a trial in Red Deer provincial court in January. The verdict was rendered in late March.
Guesford’s lawyer, Arnold Piragoff, told Judge Gordon Deck that the pre-sentence report prepared by a probation officer was incomplete because the officer only talked to one of seven people suggested.
“My client is entitled to a complete and fair report,” Piragoff said.
Crown prosecutor Murray McPherson said if the defence wanted everyone to be heard he could have elicited letters of reference from them.
Deck said he would grant the adjournment but wouldn’t issue an order compelling the officer to interview the people. He told Piragoff he could request the officer interview the people.
The report is designed to give the court a look into the background of the accused.
A former member of the disbanded Canadian Airborne Regiment, Guesford was trained in hand-to-hand combat.
Piragoff said a thorough report is needed because the Crown is after a sentence of up to 18 months.
On Sept. 2, 2009, in Sylvan Lake, Guesford punched the victim, Maurice Marshall, in the face while holding a military knife. Marshall suffered a jaw wound that required about 40 stitches.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com
At trial, Guesford, said he only wanted to scare Marshall, who allegedly had threatened to shoot Guesford and Marshall’s former common-law wife.