An assault at a Penticton motel that prompted a public warning from the victim has now landed the attacker behind bars.
Ken Paton, 34, was attacked at the door to his room at the Black Forest Motel late on Nov. 30, and later told the Western News that people should be cautious when visitors knock in the middle of the night.
His attacker, 30-year-old Michael Vernon Cravens, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced Monday in provincial court in Penticton to nine days in jail.
Cravens, who was initially let go from police custody on a promise to appear, was later re-arrested when he violated a condition of that release that prohibited him from consuming alcohol. He also pleaded guilty to that offence and received an additional 21 days behind bars.
The 30-day total sentence was a joint submission put forward by Crown and defence, but Judge Meg Shaw, noting Cravens had eight previous convictions for breaching court orders, said she had “a bit of difficulty” with the term, although she was “more comfortable” after Cravens told her he’s of First Nations descent.
“This is the absolute minimum sentence I think is appropriate under the circumstances,” said Shaw.
The judge also ordered Cravens serve 15 months’ probation, conditions of which include no contact with Paton and a requirement that he not drink or be intoxicated outside of his home.
Crown counsellor Nashina Devji told the court the first Mounties on scene at the Black Forest Motel saw Cravens walking away from the scene and called him back.
When he got within about two metres of the officers, Cravens, described as six-foot-four, 230 pounds, raised his hands and adopted a “fighting stance,” said Devji, prompting one of the Mounties to pepper-spray him.
Paton told police that Cravens had been inside his suite for dinner and drinks earlier in the evening, before Cravens returned later that night and asked for rolling papers. When Paton told Cravens he had none, Cravens began kicking and punching Paton, before the assault moved outside, where other witnesses said they saw Cravens bang Paton’s head off a vehicle.
The attack “seemed to have been without provocation,” noted Devji.
She said Cravens was arrested again around noon on Dec. 30 following a complaint about a drunk person outside the Dollarama store in Penticton.
“The fact that Mr. Cravens was heavily intoxicated outside the Dollarama in the middle of the day is indicative that he’s struggling with some issues,” said Devji.
Cravens’ lawyer agreed.
Defence counsel Bob Maxwell said his client told him he began drinking at age 10 and was an alcoholic by 15.
“He said, ‘I need help,’” Maxwell told the court, adding Cravens “is normally very nice when he’s sober, (but) I’d want him on the other side of the street when he’s drinking.”
Cravens confirmed he’s “been struggling a long time with this problem,” and said he had no memory of what lead up to the assault on Paton, but feels “badly” for the attack.