Vernon man will spend two years in prison for assault on Okanagan corrections officer | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Vernon man will spend two years in prison for assault on Okanagan corrections officer

Jeffrey Kyle Polanski was sentenced to two years in jail for assaulting an Okanagan Correctional Centre officer in February.

PENTICTON - A Vernon man will spend another two years behind bars for assaulting a corrections officer.

Judge Meg Shaw sentenced Jeffrey Kyle Polanski to a two-year jail term today, June 20, following Polanski’s guilty plea to a single charge of assaulting a peace officer causing bodily harm.

Polanski, 37, was in detention at Okanagan Correctional Centre on Feb. 13, 2018, when he walked up behind a corrections officer and sucker punched him to the right side of the head.

The officer fell and Polanski delivered six more closed-fist punches before walking away from the assault, which took 15 to 20 seconds, court has heard.

Shaw noted evidence given during the sentencing hearing indicated that the victim and Polanski had engaged in a verbal exchange over laundry prior to the assault.

The victim suffered a cut to his right eye requiring 10 stitches, swelling to the right side of his face, and issues with his jaw. He’s been off work since the attack and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The judge noted Polanski’s prior criminal record included two previous assaults in 2007 and 2015, five break and enter charges and six breaches.

Correctional centre staff submitted an impact letter to the court outlining the effect the assault had taken on morale at the prison.

Shaw took exception to the fact the crime was committed at a time when Polanski was already in jail on other matters, on an officer carrying out his duty.

Calling the incident “an unprovoked attack, “ the judge also noted Polanski’s apology in court for his actions, but added she did not attribute significant weight to the apology in her decision.

She also recalled evidence indicating Polanski was cognizant of the fact he’d “blown off” half of his life to criminal acts, and was ready to make changes.

Crown prosecutor Ann Lerechs was seeking a three-year sentence while defence lawyer Robert Dick asked for a minimum two-year term so his client could serve his time in a federal institution where programs would be available to him.

Shaw sentenced Polanski to two years’ jail. With Polanski already serving an 18-month sentence on a different matter, it is expected he will serve his time in a federal penitentiary.

Shaw also denied a media application to have a video of the assault released for public scrutiny, citing a “real and substantial” possibility doing so would result in re-victimization of the crime.

Several corrections officers were present in the gallery during the proceedings.


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