Iqaluit youth pleads guilty to assault with a BB gun
Both assaults occurred last July; court briefly delayed after boy leaves courtroom
An Iqaluit boy pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaults involving three people in the city last summer. (File photo)
After a bit of confusion in the courthouse, an Iqaluit youth pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges related to incidents of assaults with a BB gun in Iqaluit this summer.
The proceedings were stopped briefly when the 12-year-old, who appeared in court with his parents, left the courthouse during recess because he was “frustrated with the process,” Justice Susan Cooper said.
He was brought back in by his parents after about 15 minutes.
The boy pleaded guilty to two assault charges — one involving two victims and another involving one victim, both in July — and to one count of carrying a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, which occurred June 20.
“You have a great benefit that you have supportive parents,” Cooper said after the boy entered his plea.
“It’s difficult for everyone, but having that support around you will help you get through this.”
Crown prosecutor Ori Powell and defence lawyer Ioannis Yannakis both said they will likely come to a joint sentencing recommendation.
The boy, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on March 21.
6 months in jail and 12 months probation with no weapon access for 5 years.
Might as well start tougher now, he will come back anyway for additional sentencing over the years. Too bad our justice system does not allow for proper charges, even though it was just a pellet gun. If one of his “victims” would have lost an eye, it would be a slap on his hands. Now, he will walk away in the arms of mom and dad.