Homeless woman sentenced to 90 days after attack

Assaulting another woman with a bicycle, before grabbing her by the hair and kneeing her in the face, has landed a homeless Calgarian a 90-day jail term.

But Atong Akech Jok, who faces other outstanding charges, was still released on bail Monday since she’s already served more than enough time.

Jok, 26, pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon and breaching probation in connection with an incident last Oct. 15, where she attacked Melissa Morigeau outside the downtown Drop-in Centre.

Crown prosecutor Jacqueline Abbott, who along with studentat-law Kirsten Lancee made a joint submission for a 90-day sentence, told provincial court Judge Marian De Souza that Morigeau was attacked around 4:35 p.m.

“Ms. Jok struck Ms. Morigeau with a bicycle,” the prosecutor said. “Ms. Jok then grabbed Ms. Morigeau by the hair and kneed her in the face.”

Despite being attacked, Morigeau refused to be transported to hospital, or give a statement to the police, Abbott said.

Abbott said while Jok has “many related convictions,” the current “systemic pressures” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Morigeau’s lack of co-operation led to her agreeing to a 90-day sentence.

Lancee said Jok has had addiction issues in the past and has been homeless for the past five years.

She said the offender dropped out of school in Grade 10 when “she became involved with a bad crowd.”

De Souza accepted the proposed sentence saying, “It is a true joint submission in that there has been concessions made on the part of the Crown and the defence.”