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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A New Haven woman who slapped a boy she was babysitting and said he deserved it was recently given a suspended sentence for the assault.
Ashley Anne Picard, 31, appeared before Judge John Douglas in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after pleading guilty to the offence.
Crown attorney Chad McQuaid told the court the charge arose from two complaints to the police related to Picard babysitting on Jan. 1.
McQuaid said a taxi driver was the first to call the police after picking up Picard and the children to take them to a pharmacy.
The taxi driver reported that Picard yanked one of the children up by the arm after they fell and she was argumentative with the kids during the drive, McQuaid said.
The court heard the children’s mother made the second complaint to police after she went to pick up the kids from Picard.
McQuaid said the children seemed upset and the boy told his mother Picard hit him.
The court heard Picard said the boy deserved it.
McQuaid told the court the victim later said he swore at Picard and she slapped him.
Defence lawyer Alex Dalton told the court mental health and substance abuse were underlying issues in the case.
Picard was extremely apologetic, Dalton said.
In giving Picard a suspended sentence, Douglas followed a joint recommendation from the Crown and defence.
Picard will be on probation for one year, during which time she is banned from contacting the victim unless she has her probation officer’s consent.
She must also write an apology letter to the victim.
A publication ban prevents the release of any information that could identify the victim.
