Bobbitt exiting the Penticton Courthouse.
Image Credit: Global News
September 09, 2014 - 3:33 PM
PENTICTON - The victim of an aggravated and sexual assault incident on July 31 2011 suffered life-threatening injuries, an emergency doctor said today during the dangerous offender hearing and sentencing of Penticton man, David Bobbitt.
Dr. James Atkins treated the victim in the early morning of July 31, 2011, shortly after her arrival to the Penticton Regional Hospital. The victim, who cannot be named, was brought to the hospital after RCMP found her naked and covered in blood in the back of Dave’s Second Hand Store on Ellis Street. She had been confined in the store by Bobbitt, the owner, who tied her up and hit her on the head with a hammer, and sexually assaulted her. Her 22-month-old son was also confined but was not injured.
Upon arrival at the hospital at 4:30 a.m., the victim had “several obvious lacerations,” bruising on her forearms and wrists, swelling, and aches and pains on her thighs and back, Atkins said.
A CT scan showed she had a skull fracture but no internal bleeding, he said. She did, however, lose a quarter—20 to 25 per cent—of her blood from the injuries, he said.
People have died from head injuries of similar severity, Atkins said.
The victim was referred to a surgeon after receiving emergency medical services.
Bobbitt pleaded guilty in April 2013 to charges relating to the assault, including sexual and aggravated assault, unlawful confinement and assault with a weapon. Evidence brought forward during the hearing will be used by Justice Peter Rogers to determine a prison sentence and whether Bobbitt can be labelled a dangerous offender—a person who is of serious risk to the community based on past criminal offences. A dangerous offender can have an indeterminate prison sentence.
The hearing and sentencing will return to Penticton Supreme Court on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014