Vernon Law Courts
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
January 28, 2013 - 5:29 PM
A Vernon judge is sending a message about petty violence amongst young males.
Twenty-year-old Daine Boring was sentenced to six months jail time for hitting another man in the head outside a night club. Though he initially fought the charge of aggravated assault, he was found guilty over the course of his trial.
The fight took place on the street, after Boring and the complainant took the argument outside the night club. The complainant and his friends were drunk and the night club had denied them service. On their way out, the complainant's female friend made a rude remark to Boring, apparently for no reason. Boring returned her words with an insult of his own, which didn't go over well. The complainant wanted to defend her.
The situation ended with Boring striking the other man on the head, which sent him whirling onto the pavement. Boring called 911 and defense lawyer Richard Hewson said he "walked quickly" from the scene.
"The victim suffered a knockout," said Judge Mayland McKimm, adding his injuries were serious. The man missed months of work.
Some months later, Boring sent a Facebook message to the victim, apologizing and saying he wouldn't have wished the situation on anybody.
Boring's remorse was acknowledged by McKimm, who emphasized numerous character letters vouching for his good nature. The letters said that violence is out of character for the young man, who works in the oil fields.
As McKimm cited the man's fine qualities and resolved that putting him on probation was unnecessary, it seemed the sentencing would be somewhat light.
When McKimm announced Boring was to have six months in jail—and would have to leave immediately—the young man stood up in protest.
"I can promise that would never happen again," he said, begging for a change of heart. He said he would have had witnesses come to to testify, but they were afraid of the court system.
But there was no going back. Boring's parents and step-parents watched the sheriff escort him from the room.
McKimm said the harsh sentencing was to deter other offenses of similar nature.
"He did what too many young people do," McKimm said. "He just hammered somebody in the head."
—Charlotte Helston
chelston@infotelnews.ca
(250)309-5230
News from © iNFOnews, 2013