Sucker punch nets inmate two-year prison term
Penticton Secondary School graduation supplement in today’s paper
An inmate who sucker-punched a guard at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in February has now punched his ticket to a federal prison.
Jeffrey Kyle Polanski, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing bodily harm and was sentenced Wednesday in Penticton to two years behind bars, which will begin after he finishes serving an 18-month jail term that landed him at OCC in the first place.
Provincial court Judge Meg Shaw in her reasons for sentence cited victim Curtis Stafford’s line of work as an aggravating factor.
“His position is a difficult occupation, which places him in an environment of some danger, but it is aggravating that Polanski attacked an officer carrying out his duties,” said Shaw.
“It is further aggravating that the attack was unprovoked. Polanski approached and struck Mr. Stafford without warning, and then continued to strike Mr. Stafford when he was on the ground in a vulnerable position,” the judge added later.
The Crown had sought a three-year term, while Polanski’s lawyer suggested two years plus a day — just enough to put his client in a federal prison with access to better rehabilitative programs.
Court heard Stafford was standing at a work station inside a cell block with his back to some inmates when Polanski approached him from behind unseen.
“When Polanski reached Mr. Stafford, he suckerpunched Mr. Stafford on the right side of his head,” Shaw said in her recitation of the circumstances.
“This caused Mr. Stafford to fall to the ground. Polanski then stood over Mr. Stafford while he was on the ground and he punched Mr. Stafford in the head and shoulder area six more times. All of the punches were with a closed fist. “Polanski then stood up and walked away.” The entire incident last only 15 to 20 seconds. “It is unclear what precipitated the attack, but the Crown advised that Mr. Stafford and Polanski had exchanges sometime before the incident, purportedly over a laundry issue,” said Shaw.
Stafford suffered a cut near his eye that required 10 stitches to close, plus swelling and bruising on his head and face. He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and has yet to return to work.
Polanski was transferred after the attack to Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, where he’s been parked in segregation ever since. He was sent to OCC on Feb. 9 to do time for a pair of break-and-enters in Vernon.
His criminal record contains two prior convictions for assault, including a 2007 attack on a police officer that resulted in a $500 fine and nine months’ probation.
About a dozen correctional officers were in the courtroom Wednesday to watch Polanski’s sentencing. A spokesman for their union declined comment.