A provincial court judge in Prince George sentenced a dangerous offender to 15 months for breaching a long-term supervision order plus three years of probation.
Kevin Roy Grunerud, 48, however, qualified for 375 days enhanced credit for time served in jail since last March, meaning he has 81 days remaining.
Judge Robert Brown said Grunerud’s risk to re-offend remains significant and he requires monitoring.
“There remains a real risk to public safety,” Brown said.
Grunerud pleaded guilty last August to breaching his 10-year, long-term supervision order by possessing alcohol in Prince George in January 2022 and failing to travel directly to his residence and report directly to his parole supervisor in Chilliwack in September 2023.
The 15 month sentence is for the Chilliwack offence. Brown also gave him a six month concurrent sentence for the Prince George offence.
Crown counsel Gregory Furmaniuk wanted 18 months total plus three years probation, while defence lawyer Conor Muldoon sought time served and fewer than three years probation.
Grunerud was declared a dangerous offender in 2014 by a judge in the Territorial Court of Yukon. Grunerud pleaded guilty to assault, unlawful confinement and disobeying a court order, for which he was sentenced to 30 months in jail and a long-term supervision order of 10 years.
The Whitehorse court heard from a forensic psychiatric expert who said in order for Grunerud to succeed, he must “never consume alcohol again, and not enter into any committed live-in intimate relationship."
Furmaniuk told the judge that Grunerud is an Indigenous member of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation and has suffered physical and sexual abuse. He has worked as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator on construction projects.
“He's highly employable. He has been employed. He's shown that he can be a productive member in the community,” Brown said.
However, the court heard that Grunerud has a history of alcohol-driven abuse of vulnerable women.
“At one point, he stated to a parole officer that he has learned that he cannot consume alcohol at any time, as one drink leads to many which then leads to his cycle of violence,” Furmaniuk said.
Grunerud’s criminal history dates back to 1998 and includes a “significant history of spousal violence.”
Convictions range from threats to harm, slash or kill victims to severely assaulting them. He has also used weapons to commit offences, including a sledgehammer and motor vehicle.
Muldoon said that his client was in court for the first serious breaches of his 10-year order.
“He's entered guilty pleas to these offences. He's taken responsibility for these offences,” Muldoon said, pointing to mitigating circumstances.
Muldoon also said Grunerud has taken “significant steps” to rehabilitate himself behind bars, including attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and visiting with the prison chaplain.
The probation conditions include restrictions on relationships, and bans on possessing intoxicating substances and visiting any bars or liquor stores.
Brown ended the sentencing by encouraging Grunerud to rely on the experts to treat him.
“I hope you do receive ongoing care and that you find it beneficial and see your way,” Brown said. “The underlying anchor that seems to be dragged around everywhere you go, and caused you that trouble, is alcohol.”
