A 38-year-old man will spend 90 days in custody for assaulting his uncle.
A former Saddle Lake First Nations male, who now resides in British Columbia, appeared via CCTV in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse on Tuesday, Jan. 22. He pled guilty to assault, two counts of failing to appear in court, one count of failing to attend court, possession of stolen property obtained by crime, and breaching his conditions.
Jeremy Shaun Cardinal was charged with assaulting his uncle on Feb. 21, 2017 after RCMP were called to a Saddle Lake residence. The victim provided a statement to police that his nephew, Cardinal, had entered his bedroom at night while he and his wife were sleeping. The complainant jumped out of bed, but was pushed by Cardinal to the floor, hitting his head.
According to Crown prosecutor Jordan Kerr, who was outlining the facts following the guilty pleas, Cardinal then kicked his uncle multiple times, producing bruises that still remained several days after the assault when he provided his statement to RCMP.
His uncle told police that Cardinal had yelled that he owed him money prior to the assault.
Cardinal set the matter for trial in September 2017, but failed to show up.
Another trial date was set in October 2017, but Cardinal once again didn't attend.
On Dec. 11, 2018, St. Paul RCMP were called regarding a suspicious vehicle in the County of St. Paul.
Police received another complaint about two females and a male showing up at a residence asking to use the phone. When the homeowner refused, they got angry and left.
RCMP attended and spotted an abandoned truck not too far from the complainant's property. The truck had been confirmed stolen out of Vermilion.
Several individuals, who were suspected to be involved, were located when officers patrolled the area.
Statements provided to RCMP confirmed they were connected to the truck. The suspects told police they had abandoned it after it broke down.
Cardinal admitted to Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams that he had been in the truck knowing it had been stolen.
He was sentenced to 90 days globally for all charges, with Williams describing the assault as "the most serious."
"This was unprovoked," she stated.
Cardinal had remained in custody since his arrest on Dec. 11 for a total of 65 enhanced days. The father of five had 25 days left to serve as of his sentencing.
