Assault on Penticton man was 'severe act of bullying' said Crown
A Penticton man was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm that Crown counsel referred to as "a severe act of bullying."
Hayden Scott was sentenced to one year of probation for the incident that took place during a graduation party in June 2011 in which he punched a classmate in the head leaving him unconscious. The victim bumped his head from the impact of the punch and received four stitches.
Scott stood before the court on Monday taking the opportunity to give his side of the story. The now 20-year-old said he knew his classmate for a long time and there was an "ongoing argument" in which the victim had negatively talked about Scott's family and his sister. Scott said he asked the classmate to get out of the vehicle to talk when he was called a "skid." Intoxicated at the time, Scott said he reacted to the comment by punching the male. Crown counsel Vern Frolick said the victim told RCMP that he was afraid of the accused.
"I called him the next morning and apologized and then at school I apologized," said Scott.
He also apologized to the judge on Monday for missing previous court dates due to miscommunication while he was working on the rigs in Alberta. He said he has since returned to live in Penticton, is gainfully employed and will be taking schooling. Besides the one year of probation, Scott received a $500 fine, 24 hours of community service and is not to be in possession of any weapons.
"Hopefully as we get older we find other way sot settle disputes," Judge Gale Sinclair said to Scott at the sentencing.
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