Teen gets discharge for assault on principal

A Niagara Falls high school student who assaulted his principal after she punished him for drawing pornographic images on an interactive display screen has been granted a conditional discharge.

The 15-year-old male, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty this week in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to a charge of assault with a weapon.

The teen was called to the principal’s office in June 2017 after he drew the images on a white board at school.

The principal asked for the teen’s cellphone, court heard, which caused him to become agitated and throw a heavy binder at the woman’s face.

The principal suffered minor swelling to her left eye but was not seriously injured.

“The difference of a centimetre or two could have been the difference between getting a bruise and losing an eye,” said Judge Fergus O’Donnell.

Assistant Crown attorney James Burke had asked the judge to consider ordering a pre-sentence report on the youth prior to sentencing as there had been “other acts of violence in the past.”

The teen, who plans on pursuing a career in the military, said he preferred to be sentenced right away as he has completed a conflict resolution and anger management program since the incident and plans to attend a military camp in the near future.

The Crown suggested the defendant undergo additional counselling “before he is responsible for carrying a gun and serving his country.”

O’Donnell imposed a conditional discharge, which includes an 18-month probationary period.

The teen must attend any counselling sessions recommended by his probation officer.