Domestic disputes settled

Two separate cases of domestic violence were before Justice Robert Kilpatrick in Nunavut Court of Justice on Feb. 20.

Andy Anaija Jr., 21, of Tuloyoak was sentenced to three months in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting his common-law spouse three times in the past six months.

The woman urinated on Anaija before one of the incidents. Justice Kilpatrick noted the woman’s action was a provoking factor when handing down his sentence.

Upon his release, Anaija is subject to two years of probation.

David Mikkigak, 21, of Cape Dorset was sentenced to eight months and 15 days in jail after pleading guilty to two assault charges, two firearm possession and licensing charges and one violation of probation. The firearm charges were not connected to the assault.

On the morning of Feb. 5, Mikkigak punched his common law spouse twice in the head. That afternoon, he punched her in the head, shoulder and arm and then kicked her in the head.

Although the woman did not suffer permanent damage, Justice Kilpatrick said there was a potential for long-term effects.

“If you kick someone in the head you can kill or paralyze them,” he said.