Woman admits biting officer

One of two people involved in a bizarre ruckus at the Saskatchewan legislative building last summer must stay away from the marble palace for the next while and do 30 hours of community service.

Those were among the terms of an eight-month probation order given to Gianina Susan Burnard, 28, on Tuesday as part of a suspended sentence after she pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer. Court heard she bit the forearms of an officer providing security at the legislative building on Aug. 26.

Crown prosecutor Ryan Snyder said the unusual altercation seemed to be sparked by “this freeman-on-the-land silliness” — a movement that asserts certain sovereign rights and opposes government rules. But defence lawyer Carson Demmans said Burnard knew her co-accused only casually and has since cut ties.

He urged the judge to give the first-time offender an absolute discharge — and avoid a criminal record. But Judge Leslie Halliday said the public interest demands more than a discharge for assaulting a peace officer, “someone employed in a capacity that makes them vulnerable ... On this occasion, they actually were in harm’s way.”

Snyder said when Burnard and a friend tried to get into the building on Aug. 23 and 24, they took issue with having to produce identification. He said Burnard “ostensibly” wanted inside to use the washroom. When asked for identification, her friend identified himself only as “man.” They returned again on Aug. 25, when Burnard identified herself only as “woman.” She was allowed to use the washroom, but when they both tried to go to the cafeteria, they were stopped and balked again about showing identification.

The pair returned on Aug. 26, when Burnard again requested to go inside to use the washroom, although there are other public washrooms nearby in Wascana Park, said Snyder. She was allowed to go, but when her friend tried to follow her, he was stopped by security and began insisting he had “rights,” court heard.

As the man was being dragged out, Burnard “stepped into the fray,” said Snyder. Security officers grabbed her, and that’s when she bit one of them.

Demmans said Burnard suffers from several health issues and keeps busy doing volunteer work, which is how she met her co-accused.

His charges return to court later this month.

He said the victim, much larger than his petite client, “was never in any danger.”