Man sentenced to six months aggravated assault, resisting arrest
By Shurtz, Delon on April 18, 2020.
Delon Shurtz
lethbridge herald
Slashing his girlfriend with a knife, albeit accidently, has earned a Lethbridge man six months in jail.
Mark Andrew Hagen and his girlfriend were fighting Jan. 10 when Hagen repeatedly pushed the woman and slashed her in the face. The woman required numerous stitches to close a deep, six-inch cut that extended across her check and past one of her ears, leaving a flap of skin and flesh hanging from her face.
Crown prosecutor Darwyn Ross said Friday in Lethbridge provincial court that the woman had grabbed a piece of wood during the fight, but Hagen kept shoving her and then accidently slashed her with the knife.
Police found the woman in the basement of the home from which the two had been evicted the day before, and while she initially refused to co-operate with police, she was taken to the hospital.
Hagen was visibly distraught when police arrived, Ross explained, and attempted to run away. Police had to tackle him to the ground then zap him numerous times with a stun gun before he finally co-operated and was arrested.
Ross pointed out the couple had returned to the residence to retrieve belongings they left behind after they had been evicted.
Hagen pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated assault and resisting arrest, and was sentenced to a total of seven months in jail. He was given credit, however, for time he already spent in custody, leaving him with 63 days to serve. He must submit a sample of his DNA for the National DNA Databank, and he will be on probation for one year after he is released.
Although Hagen has a lengthy criminal record comprising repeated violent offences, Lethbridge lawyer Claudia Connolly pointed out he also suffers from mental health issues. Judge Paul Pharo agreed with her request to recommend Hagen serve the rest of his sentence in Lethbridge where he can continue to receive help from his health-care providers.
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