A Ponoka man who pled guilty to two counts of assault is now facing six months in custody, following sentencing in Ponoka provincial court on Friday, April 10.
On March 29, 2015 Ponoka RCMP responded to a domestic assault in progress. Upon arrival at the residence in town, they were met at the door by a frightened and crying woman.
She told them her partner, Joshua Desjarlais, 36, was drunk and had thrown her into a nightstand, injuring her head. The incident started over an argument about a cell phone.
On Jan. 1 of this year Desjarlais had attacked the same woman, throwing her into a bookcase. She was unable to walk or go to work for two days.
The woman told RCMP Desjarlais had threatened her life in the past and that such situations were common.
In court, Desjarlais did not dispute any of the facts read.
Desjarlais has a previous criminal record but not many violent crimes, the Crown informed the court. Both the Crown and defence were seeking 90 days in custody. Both parties felt Desjarlais’ punishment should sit at the lower end of the spectrum due to a guilty plea on his first appearance and a criminal record with a low percentage of violent crimes.
However, Judge DJ Plosz did not feel 90 days in custody was appropriate.
“You don’t deserve to have a partner. You deserve to be put out on an ice floe and set out on your own,” Plosz told Desjarlais, who was present in court via closed circuit television.
Plosz also denied Desjarlais his wish to serve his time intermittently, as to not interfere with his job. Plosz felt Desjarlais is a danger of being a repeat offender. “He’s a wife beater, and wife beaters are cowards.”
Following his release Desjarlais must adhere to a two-year probation, with conditions including no possessing firearms, ammunition, explosives or anything that could be used as a weapon, seek treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and any other treatments a probation officer deems necessary, no alcohol, no entry to any establishment where the main purpose is selling alcohol or gambling, no leaving the province without written permission from a probation officer and not contact the woman and must stay one kilometre away from her residence and place of employment.
Desjarlais was also sentenced to pay a $100 fine, as well. He must also submit his DNA.
Desjarlais told the court he wants to look into anger management. “I’m going to get counselling for myself. I really do wish to better myself and I wish this never happens to anyone. I apologize for everything,” he said.
Plosz says his main focus is the protection of the victim. “It appears to me now that you’ve got your back up against a wall you want to better yourself.”
“You’re a mean, nasty man,” he added.
Disqualified driver impersonates, apologizes over text
A woman from the Samson Cree Nation was sentenced to 60 days in jail and a $300 fine after pleading guilty to impersonation and driving while disqualified.
Iris Bull, 40, also pled guilty to failing to appear in court.
On Feb. 2, 2014 Ponoka’s RCMP Integrated Traffic Unit stopped a driver who identified herself Danielle Labelle.
In the following days, Labelle contacted the RCMP and emailed texts Bull sent to her, apologizing for using her name.
At the time of the incident, Bull was a suspended driver and when RCMP learned she had provided an incorrect name, extensive efforts went into finding her.
Upon arrest, she declined her right to speak with a lawyer and was released on a promise to appear. She did not show for her March 20, 2015 court date.
The court was told transportation issues kept her from getting to Ponoka.
At the time of sentencing, Bull had been in custody for seven days; she was given 10 days credit. Bull was also sentenced to a one-year driving prohibition.
“You’ve caused an innocent person to have a charge laid against them . . . that’s serious stuff,” said Plosz. “I don’t take kindly to that.”
“It’s time to smarten up Ms. Bull and stop getting people into trouble,” he added.
Trail date set for serial assaulter
A two-day trial has been set for Daniel Archambault; May 26 and 27, commencing at 9:30 a.m. in Ponoka.
A pre-trial is being held in Wetaskiwin court on May 11.
While Archambault is currently in custody, he will appear in person during the Ponoka trial.
Archambault’s 25 counts of charges include several assaults, possession of prohibited and imitation weapons, uttering threats and possession of controlled or illegal substances.