Jail sentence for grabbing at cop’s gun

CITY MAN GIVEN FIVE MONTHS

A Lethbridge man who tried to grab a police officer’s gun during an arrest earlier in the summer has been handed a five-month jail sentence.

Mark Daniel Wilson pleaded guilty Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court to one count of attempting to disarm a peace officer, stemming from an incident June 27 when police were called to a domestic disturbance.

Court was told the man’s wife called police then went to a neighbour’s home. When she and the neighbour returned, Wilson was gone, and police began searching for him. During the search Wilson returned home and threatenly approached his wife, but an officer at the scene stepped in and told him he was under arrest.

“F--- you, I am,” Wilson responded, then grabbed hold of the officer’s handgun with both hands. The two men grappled and fought until the officer was finally able to handcuff his combatant. Wilson continued to struggle, however, as he was led to a police vehicle.

Wilson, 58, had initially pleaded not guilty and was set to stand trial, but changed his mind after his lawyer and the Crown prosecutor agreed on a five-month sentence.

Judge Sylvia Oishi accepted the joint submission, and noted the domestic disturbance became potentially dangerous for everyone involved because Wilson tried to get the officer’s firearm.

Although sentenced to five months, Wilson had already served the equivalent of nearly that much time in custody, leaving only 10 days on his sentence. He is also prohibited from possessing certain weapons and firearms for 10 years, and others for life.