Taxi assault sentencing continues

Gladue report author takes the stand at sentencing hearing for Shawn Baldhead, guilty of kidnapping, sex assault & robbery

The sentencing hearing for a man who pled guilty to kidnapping, sexually assaulting and robbing a Medicine Hat cab driver in November 2016 continued Tuesday, with the author of his Gladue report taking the stand to testify about his remorse.

“Did he say, ‘I’m sorry for what I did to the victim?’” Judge Eric Brooks asked.

“No,” replied the author, saying she would have written it down if he had.

The question of 30-yearold Shawn Thomas Baldhead’s remorse came to a head in April over reports that contradicted each other.

The Gladue Report and Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre doctor’s report did not state he was remorseful for his actions on Nov. 24, 2016, when he approached a Medicine Hat taxi driver as a walk-up fare, proceeded to threaten and sexually assault her, then drove the taxi to Calgary before letting her go free.

The pre-sentencing report says he is remorseful for his actions.

The Gladue report writer testified that Baldhead told her the events didn’t happen the way it was stated before the court, and that the victim had wanted cash.

“He feels remorse for the drugs ... for how they ruined his life,” she said, adding that he was pleading out to take responsibility for the charges, and to “get it done with.”

When asked by defence counsel, the report writer said Baldhead did not mention being unable to remember what happened due to being intoxicated.

“If he would have said he was drunk and could not remember, I would have wrote it down,” the report writer replied.

Gladue reports are a type of pre-sentencing report for people of aboriginal backgrounds that look at factors — such as residential schools, racism and substance abuse — that give a fuller picture of the accused’s situation. They’re meant to help guide the courts in finding alternatives to incarceration to reduce the overrepresentation of aboriginal people in prison.

While the SAFPC doctor had originally been set to appear by video conference from Calgary to offer clarification on their report, bureaucratic, technical and scheduling issues prevented their appearance. It was agreed defence counsel will instead write the doctor a letter with questions for clarification, with the doctor’s written response to be used by the court.

Sentencing will continue July 17 with final arguments from defence counsel.

Crown is requesting for a six- to eight-year sentence and delay in parole eligibility.