Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Port Moody Woman Sentenced To Two Weeks In Jail After Spitting In Bus Driver's Face

Darpan News Desk , 09 Nov, 2017 12:08 PM
    A Provincial Court Judge has sent a strong message to those who would assault a bus operator in his sentencing of a 22 year old Port Moody woman.
     
     
    On June 22, 2016, at 5:15 pm, a 97 B-Line Coast Mountain bus was heading northbound on North Road at Austin Avenue in Coquitlam. A young woman, who appeared to be intoxicated, boarded that bus at the Lougheed Station bus loop and began swearing repeatedly. The bus operator asked her to stop swearing and advised her that if she continued, she would have to leave the bus.
     
     
    The woman continued swearing and was told to get off the bus at the stop just north of Austin Avenue. As she left the bus, she spat in the face of the operator and left the area in a taxi. Metro Vancouver Transit Police were advised and initiated an investigation.
     
     
    The woman was identified as a result of a police incident she was involved in, earlier in the day. Transit Police conducted a thorough investigation and submitted a detailed and compelling Report to Crown Counsel, recommending a charge of Assault, which was approved by Crown Counsel.
     
     
    In February of this year, the suspect appeared in court and was convicted at trial of one count of Assault. Convicted was Lakota Morningstar KAKAKAWAY, 22 years.
     
     
    On November 1, 2017, KAKAKAWAY appeared in court again for sentencing. She was sentenced to 14 days in jail followed by 12 months’ probation that includes conditions of no contact with her victim, and not to be found in any vehicle operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company.
     
     
    In his decision, the judge articulated all aggravating and mitigating circumstances in the case including the vulnerability of public transport operators, the nature of the assault – with spitting described as an act of disrespect and one posing serious danger of transmitting serious disease through saliva and the fact that the accused did not plead guilty, requiring a trial. 
     
     
    He also emphasized the role of the court system in sending a strong message to the public that acts of violence against transit operators are unacceptable.
     
     
    Chief Doug LePard states “It is gratifying to see the recognition from the courts regarding the serious nature of assaults on bus operators. While this young woman had a history of negative police contacts, she did not have a previous criminal record. This is an extraordinary outcome for a first offence and sends a strong message to offenders and front-line transit staff.” There have been 79 reported incidents of assault on bus operators to date, in 2017.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Oscar Arfmann, Accused In Murder Of Abbotsford Police Officer, Fought Mental Illness

    Oscar Arfmann, Accused In Murder Of Abbotsford Police Officer, Fought Mental Illness
     A family member of an Alberta man charged with the first-degree murder of a British Columbia police officer say the accused had been struggling since losing his wife five years ago.

    Oscar Arfmann, Accused In Murder Of Abbotsford Police Officer, Fought Mental Illness

    B.C. Outreach Group Partners With App Developer To Improve Safety Of Sex Workers

    B.C. Outreach Group Partners With App Developer To Improve Safety Of Sex Workers
    VANCOUVER — An outreach group supporting vulnerable women in British Columbia is hoping a cellphone app designed to monitor remote workers in resource industries will help keep sex workers safe.

    B.C. Outreach Group Partners With App Developer To Improve Safety Of Sex Workers

    Saskatchewan Police Website Hacked By Apparent Supporters Of Islamic Militants

    Saskatchewan Police Website Hacked By Apparent Supporters Of Islamic Militants
    PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Police in Prince Albert, Sask., say their website has been hacked by apparent supporters of ISIL.

    Saskatchewan Police Website Hacked By Apparent Supporters Of Islamic Militants

    Hit The Road: Alberta Landlord Wins Battle To Boot Squatter From Property

    Hit The Road: Alberta Landlord Wins Battle To Boot Squatter From Property
    CARDSTON, Alta. — A southern Alberta landlord has won his battle to remove a squatter living in a small shack sitting on a trailer on the man's rental property.

    Hit The Road: Alberta Landlord Wins Battle To Boot Squatter From Property

    Shame, Guilt And Disgust: Victims Of Ex-Ski Coach Bertrand Charest Give Emotional Impact Statements

    Shame, Guilt And Disgust: Victims Of Ex-Ski Coach Bertrand Charest Give Emotional Impact Statements
    SAINT-JEROME, Que. — Sex-assault victims of ex-ski coach Bertrand Charest delivered emotional impact statements Tuesday, with one telling the court he had robbed her of her childhood and acted like a predator.

    Shame, Guilt And Disgust: Victims Of Ex-Ski Coach Bertrand Charest Give Emotional Impact Statements

    English F-Word Acceptable For French Broadcasts, Regulator Says

    English F-Word Acceptable For French Broadcasts, Regulator Says
    Canada's broadcast standards regulator has ruled that a swear word that's off-limits on English-language broadcasts is acceptable in French programming.

    English F-Word Acceptable For French Broadcasts, Regulator Says