Accused pleaded guilty to various offences including aggravated assault and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. After becoming angry with a gas station attendant, accused drove his vehicle into the store, causing numerous serious injuries. Accused had no record.
Held: 6 years jail.
Although the accused suffered from some mental health issues, the issues were not clearly defined. Denunciation and deterrence paramount. Notwithstanding the accused’s guilty plea, his behaviour did not demonstrate genuine remorse. “The gravity of the offence is such that it should be in the upper range for the offences of this nature. Mr. Cloutier drove deliberately at a store because he sought revenge for alleged mistreatment by the store employees … The destruction to the store resembled that occasioned by a bomb.”
S. Gerstel – Defence Counsel