‘Unenviable childhood’

Common assault, thefts net P.E.I. man 90 days in jail

A judge considered an indigenous man’s “horrendous’’ past in sentencing him to 90 days for common assault, a string of thefts from liquor stores and two breaches.

Chief Provincial Court Judge Nancy Orr gave 26-year-old Allen Coleman credit of 34 days for time served, leaving him 56 days left to serve.

Coleman will be on probation for 18 months following his release.

He pleaded guilty to common assault of his then-girlfriend in May. The pair are no longer in a relationship together.

He was ordered to refrain from having any contact with the woman unless he first receives written consent of a probation officer in advance.

Orr sentenced Coleman to 45 days for the assault, 15 days for breaching a no contact order and 30 days for stealing alcohol from a liquor store in Charlottetown in October. The latter two sentences are to be served consecutively, bringing the total sentence to 90 days in jail, which was the joint recommendation of the Crown and defence.

Coleman was also sentenced to 30 days each for second and third liquor thefts in Charlottetown in October and a breach of undertaking. All three sentences are to be served concurrently.

He was ordered to pay $313.50 in restitution for the stolen liquor.

Coleman was also ordered to have his DNA added to the national DNA data bank.

Orr told Coleman to make every effort to find employment and/or further his education.

The judge acknowledged before sentencing that Coleman has experienced a “horrendous family background”.

A Gladue report, which considers personal history of an Indigenous individual before sentencing him or her, highlights what Crown attorney Lisa Goulden termed a “most unenviable childhood”.

Coleman was born prematurely with heart defects and has fetal alcohol syndrome.

He was placed in foster care as an infant and experienced horrific abuse in his first foster home.

Orr noted Coleman has had success in several programs before he stumbled after coming in contact with negative influences.

“I’ve been trying to do better for myself,’’ Coleman told the court.