Suspended sentence issued in threats, assault case

By Delon Shurtz on March 17, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 32-year-old man who was off his medication when he committed several offences last year and earlier this year, will not have to spend anymore time in custody.
Bradley Peter Badura was given a suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty Friday in Lethbridge provincial court to charges of uttering threats, mischief causing damage, obstructing a peace officer, possession of stolen property, assault with a weapon and breaching release orders. He was also placed on probation for 18 months, during which he must be assessed and treated for psychiatric issues, live at an approved residence, abstain from intoxicating substances, and take prescribed medication.
Court was told Badura’s spree of offences began April 4 when police investigated the theft of a motor vehicle. Badura punched his friend and stole his vehicle after asking him for a ride, then drove out of the city. The friend told police Badura was hearing voices.
Badura was eventually caught by police, who took Badura to Chinook Regional Hospital. While at the hospital he kicked and damaged the police vehicle and threatened to kill the officer.
Medical personnel noted Badura didn’t appear to be suffering from mental health issues at the time, and believed his behavior was drug induced.
On April 6 police received another complaint that Badura was acting strangely and talking about black magic. When his father arrived at his home, Badura threatened to kill him.
During the same month Badura was outside the homeless shelter where he was hitting things with a stick. He tried to strike one of the shelter’s clients but left with a metal bar before police arrived. Police found him a nearby, but he ignored their instructions and lifted the bar to strike the officer.
A community peace officer managed to grab the pipe and knocked Badura down, but he continued to fight with police and had to be forcibly placed in the police vehicle. Police found him in possession of drug paraphernalia and learned he had previously been ordered not to have any weapons.
Badura was in trouble again April 10 after he was caught with a motor vehicle that had been stolen from Cardston, and then last January he was arrested after he smashed a large plate glass window at the Lethbridge Herald and later threatened a man with a knife.
Police found him shortly afterward holding a long knife and standing on the median at 6 Avenue and 6 Street South. Officers drew their service pistols and ordered Badura to drop the knife, to which he responded, “or what?” He also had a smaller knife in his other hand, but he was finally convinced by another officer to drop the weapons.
When he was searched, police found a multi tool containing another knife, and some methamphetamine.
The Crown and defence recommended a suspended sentence given Badura’s mental health issues, and noted when he is on his medication he can be managed in the community.
Lethbridge lawyer Wade Hlady said Badura suffers from schizophrenia, and at the time of the offences he was off his medications. Hlady said Badura is doing better and living with his mother.
“I’m really sorry for everything that happened,” Badura told the judge.
Judge John Maher advised Badura to avoid using alcohol and drugs, especially because he suffers from mental health issues.
“You can’t handle it mentally,” Maher said.

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