A Provincial Court judge sentenced a Prince George man to 12 months curfew on Monday, Jan. 6 for uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, contravening firearms storage regulations and breaching a recognizance order.
David Hartung, 60, pleaded guilty to the charges stemming from a May 1, 2024 incident. Court heard that a woman called Prince George RCMP after Hartung threatened to use a baseball bat or gun to kill her. An officer found three firearms on the property of Hartung, who was intoxicated.
Judge Martin Nadon issued a 12-month conditional sentence order, requiring Hartung to obey the law, remain in B.C. and stay in his residence from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily, except for a medical emergency. Nadon banned him from possessing firearms for five years and said he must not possess or consume drugs or alcohol, except for a medical prescription. He must also attend a counselling program as directed by a conditional sentence officer.
Hartung’s lawyer, David Jenkins, described his client as a class 1 truck driver who has struggled with alcoholism, but is undergoing treatment through Northern Health.
“This is a gentleman who, now at the age of 60, has more or less steered clear of finding himself in trouble, but for couple of instances when alcohol got the better of him,” Jenkins said.
Nadon said the sentence “speaks to three principles,” denunciation, deterrence and rehabilitation. He did not agree with the six-month house arrest and six-month curfew proposed by Crown prosecutor Simran Rai.
“I think it's important that he be out doing constructive things during the day and not locked down on the property,” Nadon said. “This would encourage him to continue with his counselling and also to get back to work as soon as possible, and begin again providing for the family.”
The court heard from the woman, who said “hopefully we can work it out peacefully and be friends.”
Nadon said Hartung may continue to have contact with the woman, only with her express consent. If she or a peace officer requests otherwise, he must stop all contact and communication with her.
