A Vanderhoof man was given a 60-day conditional sentence and one-year probation on Nov. 27 in Prince George Provincial Court after pleading guilty to biting a woman’s upper arm and assaulting a store security guard.
Curtis Anthony Thomas, 31, had been charged with sexual assault for the encounter on the bus, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
Judge Peter McDermick said that, on Oct. 8, 2022, Thomas was highly intoxicated when he sat down beside a woman on a bus. They were unknown to each other and engaged in small talk. The woman became uncomfortable and moved away, then Thomas put his arm around her, leaned over and put his mouth on her tricep three times.
“It looked like you were trying to bite her and then she was uncomfortable as she got off the bus,” McDermick said.
On Nov. 23, 2023 at Value Village, a security guard stopped Thomas as he was about to leave without paying for a toque. Thomas pushed the guard into a clothing rack, smashed him in the chest with both hands and was verbally abusive.
McDermick said Thomas was drunk at the time and the security guard did not suffer any injuries.
“He's expressed remorse for his behaviour and, although he does not recall his actions due to his reported level of intoxication, he does not appear to use intoxication as an excuse for his behaviour,” McDermick said. “It appears contributing factors in his offending may include substance misuse and emotional instability. He has demonstrated his motivation to make changes in his life by seeking assistance to help with his addiction and maintaining his sobriety.”
McDermick ordered Thomas to keep the peace and live under a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, attend a counselling or education program directed by the sentence supervisor and serve a year on probation.
Thomas must not possess or consume alcohol or drugs, except for a medical prescription, and must not contact, directly or indirectly, the victims or visit the Value Village store.
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