Couple awaits sentence

Making their sentencing submissions Friday, a couple awaiting sentencing for starving their granddaughter spoke about the hardships they’ve faced as aboriginal people.

Regina Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Frank Gerein previously heard submissions from Crown prosecutor Mitch Crumley, who is asking four to five years be imposed against the 52-year-old woman and the 55-year-old man on a charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life to the man’s young granddaughter. Gerein found them guilty following trial.

The young girl was two and weighed 13.6 kilograms when placed in the care of her maternal grandfather and his wife on Feb. 1, 2007. When removed from their home 17 months later, her weight had fallen to 12.5 kilograms.

“I TRUST YOU AND YOUR DECISION, YOUR HONOUR. I TRUST

THE COURT”

GRANDFATHER

Court had heard the girl was denied food and treated differently from two other children in the home. The girl was also, at times, kept inside a dark, windowless room in the basement and experienced some physical and verbal abuse, court heard.

The couple cannot be named under a court order to protect the identity of the girl, who is now seven and reportedly thriving in foster care.

Pre-sentence reports had been ordered and Gerein had also earlier ensured the couple — who are self-represented — received copies of recent Supreme Court decisions regarding “Gladue factors” which judges are supposed to take into consideration when sentencing aboriginal offenders. Judges have been directed to consider such matters as the impact of colonialism and residential schools and how that has led to systemic problems among aboriginal people.

Speaking separately, the couple said the Gladue factors certainly pertain to them, the woman speaking about a history in her family of substance abuse and a background that included residential school.

It’s believed the grandfather also spent time in residential school, although neither provided much detail about their time there.

The woman said it’s been difficult getting help to deal with her problems since nonaboriginals “don’t understand where we’re coming from,” and even some people on her Fort Qu’appelle-area reserve haven’t been supportive.

“All we have left is fragmented families in the communities that we come from,” she said.

The couple said they now try to use their own experiences to help others in their community going through the same hardships.

Crumley agreed Gerein should consider the Gladue factors, but added denunciation and deterrence should be paramount in a case involving child abuse — for the sake of the grandparents and others who treat children in a similar way.

Neither of the grandparents suggested a possible sentence to the judge on Friday.

“I can’t tell you how I should be judged,” the man said. “I trust you and your decision, your Honour. I trust the court.”

Gerein is expected to give his decision on April 24.