A man who stabbed a woman on Torbay Road in February has been sentenced to two years less a day in jail, with three years' probation.
David Joseph Harrington was handed the sentence today in provincial court in St. John's.
The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. A charge of assault with a weapon was withdrawn by the Crown.
In rendering his decision, Judge Mike Madden said while Harrington is of aboriginal descent and did plead guilty, the seriousness of the offence warrants stiff punishment.
He said Harrington attacked a vulnerable young woman who was on her way to work. He said the randomness of the attack is "frightening."
"Everyone, everyone in this courtroom, on Water Street, we're all vulnerable as we go about our day-to-day lives and you took advantage of that,” Madden said.
"You robbed the victim of her peace of mind. Everyone should be able to walk the streets without the fear if being attacked."
The victim, Kayla English, was in the courtroom to hear the decision. The 22-year-old told reporters outside court that she's glad the ordeal is over and that it's brought closure for her.
Harrington stabbed English on Torbay Road as she was walking to work at McDonalds.
After Harrington ran off, English managed to flag down a passing car. The driver called 911 and English was rushed to hospital.
The six-inch blade went through her chest, puncturing her abdominal cavity and caused a laceration in her diaphragm. She needed 27 staples to repair the wound from surgery.
"It's lucky she wasn't killed," Madden said
Harrington addressed the court, apologizing to English and her family.
However, the judge said, "Whatever apology you can offer does little in alleviating the injuries you caused to her."
More coverage in Saturday’s Telegram.
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Sophia, the judge said it, therefore the the reporter reported it - no fault on the reporter there. As to the judge saying it, Canadian law (like it or not) has special sentencing considerations for aboriginals.