Man sentenced to prison for kidnapping, assaulting girlfriend

Sentenced for kidnapping his girlfriend, a 25-year-old man was warned that further violence is likely to lead to a Crown application to have him declared a dangerous or long-term offender.

Kelly Baht was found guilty in January by Judge Murray Hinds of a variety of offences, including kidnapping, assault with a weapon, common assault and possession of a knife for a dangerous purpose. Baht later pleaded guilty to possession of morphine and breaching a non-contact order related to the complainant.

Hinds heard sentencing submissions in March, with Crown prosecutor Leona Andrews asking for 5½ years less remand credit, and defence lawyer Andrew Hitchcock requesting 3½ years less credit.

On Friday, Hinds effectively split the difference, passing a four-year sentence. After remand credit was deducted, Baht was left with 36 months to serve.

“The last thing I want to remind you of is the Crown had considered upon your conviction applying ... to have you designated a dangerous or long-term offender,” Hinds said. “Now, the Crown did not proceed with that application, but I want to make it clear to you that ... if you were to commit another violent offence, I’m quite sure the Crown would very much consider doing that. And the consequences to you could be very significant.”

In his 15-page written decision, Hinds went back through Baht’s criminal history, which includes — among numerous other offences — several robberies as a youth, all against cab drivers. In one, he had a knife, while in the other two, he hit the cab drivers — one in the head with a sledgehammer and crowbar and the other in the face with a hammer. As an adult, he again offended while using a weapon, confronting two people

If you were to commit another violent offence, I’m quite sure the Crown would very much consider doing that.

with a hunting knife.

A knife also played a role in the offence before the court Friday. Hinds noted Baht met the complainant two years ago on a dating site and that the two eventually stopped seeing each other before resuming their relationship last spring.

On July 17, the two had a falling out when the woman learned Baht had been lying to her and cheating on her.

The next day, the woman — working as a delivery driver — completed a delivery and got back into her vehicle to discover Baht had climbed undetected into the back seat.

Baht grabbed her to prevent her escape, then punched her several times in the head and held a knife against her body while forcing her to drive out of town.

Hinds noted the confinement continued for about a half-hour, although Baht’s behaviour fortunately diminished rather than escalated over that time, with Baht eventually getting out and allowing her to return to her workplace.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said the kidnapping has turned her from an outgoing, happy, open person to someone with severe anxiety and depression.

She continues to suffer from both physical and psychological injuries, court heard.

Hinds finished the sentencing by telling Baht he needs to change his behaviour.

“That’s what I’m currently doing,” Baht replied, telling the judge he’s taking programming.

“That’s what you should do, for your sake and for the safety of society,” Hinds said.