Woman sentenced for assault

A young woman who was high on drugs when she attacked another woman earlier this year, has received a jail sentence but won't have to spend anymore time in custody.

Gwenyth North Peigan pleaded guilty Friday in Lethbridge provincial court to one count of attempted robbery and was sentenced to six months in jail. She was given credit, however, for the equivalent of six months she has already spent in custody, effectively completing her sentence.

Court was told a woman had returned to her vehicle July 23 after being in a convenience store on Mayor Magrath Drive South. As she sat in her vehicle outside the store, North Peigan opened the door and yelled “what the F are you doing?”

North Peigan, who insisted the vehicle did not belong to the woman, managed to prevent her from closing the door and pulled her out of the vehicle. She kneed the woman in the face, climbed in the vehicle and attempted to drive away.

The woman, however, fought with North Peigan and, with the help of bystanders, prevented her from leaving. North Peigan left the area but was apprehended by police a short distance away.

Crown Prosecutor Clayton Giles told court North Peigan was intoxicated by drugs at the time, and police found drugs and drug paraphernalia in a bag she was carrying.

Lethbridge lawyer Vincent Guinan said his client functions in many respects at the level of an elementary school child, and has been diagnosed with psychological issues, as well as alcohol and substance use disorder.

“So she is incredibly challenged,” Guinan said.

In addition to her jail sentence, North Peigan will be on probation for 12 months. She must also provide a sample of her DNA for the National DNA Databank, and she is prohibited from possessing weapons for 10 years.