‘ Positive steps,’ bite earns criminal shorter sentence

A Chilliwack career criminal who beat a man has been handed a shorter sentence than he might otherwise have received after suffering an infection from a police dog bite sustained during his arrest and an “apparent” sexual assault in jail.

Paul Gordon Olsen, 32, was given a two year, 11- month sentence, including credit for time already spent in jail. He must also serve three years probation.

B. C. Supreme Court Justice Brian M. Joyce said he also took into account Olsen’s promise to “finally turn his life around,” largely a result of the bad experiences he encountered after his Feb. 29, 2009 arrest for beating a man he suspected of molesting his girlfriend.

While on the ground in handcuffs at the time of his arrest, a police dog bit Olsen a number of times.

The wounds were not treated adequately, resulting in a serious infection requiring medical care. While jailed at a pre- trial centre, Olsen was “apparently” sexually assaulted by a prisoner sharing the cell, the judge noted.

The nearly three- year sentence was a joint submission by Crown and defence lawyers.

“But for the joint submission ... I might well have imposed a greater sentence. However, in all of the circumstances, I am prepared to accept the joint submission,” said Joyce in his decision, a transcript of which was released Friday.

Olsen pleaded guilty to two of six charges arising from the beating. He has a significant criminal record of nearly 50 convictions beginning when he was 12 and spanning a range of offences including assault with a weapon, drug trafficking and robbery.

In this latest case, Olsen bound the man with duct tape and brought him to a drug house where he punched him twice in the face, knocking him unconscious.

News reports describe Olsen as six foot five inches tall, and weighing 280 pounds at the time of his arrest.

The victim, reported as five foot seven and 120 pounds, escaped briefly and yelled for help before being taken into the drug house.

Police arrived shortly after the beating took place.

The Supreme Court Justice said Olsen’s criminal record might cause great skepticism about his desire to change his life, but the difficult circumstances he endured give credence to his promise to change.

“Mr. Olsen has taken some positive steps by taking certain correspondence courses and Bible study, which might suggest that he has a real desire to make a change in his life,” said Joyce.