Food tamperer allowed to visit Russia ahead of sentencing for spitting

Notorious food saboteur Tatyana Granada will be sentenced in May for spitting in the face of a government worker.

In the meantime, the Calgary woman will get to spend an extended Christmas break with relatives in her native Russia.

Duty counsel Mark Cluett on Wednesday appeared in provincial court on Granada’s behalf to set a sentencing date for her in connection with an assault conviction.

Cluett told Judge Catherine Skene he viewed an itinerary from Granada showing she has booked plane tickets to and from Russia, leaving Dec. 9 and returning Feb. 13.

“It would leave just over three months from when she returns to make sure all the reports are completed,” Cluett said.

On Oct. 26, Judge Bruce Fraser found Granada guilty of a May 16, 2017, charge of assault for spitting in the face of a government worker who was trying to escort her out of an office.

Granada denied spitting at the woman.

Crown prosecutor Rose Greenwood is seeking the maximum punishment of six months in jail for the summary conviction offence.

Granada was sentenced to three years in a federal prison in April 2012 on charges of mischief and trespassing.

On four occasions between Jan. 13 and March 10, 2010, Granada tampered with food in an act of vengeance over a shoplifting arrest at the Oakridge Co-op store.