Sentencing adjourned due to lack of translator

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on March 18, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A cyclist accused of slashing the face of a motorist following a collision last year is going to resolve his charges without a trial, but likely not until later in the year.
Peter Ajang, 46, appeared in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday for a sentencing hearing, but the matter had to be adjourned when the court was unable to secure a Dinka translator for the accused.
Ajang is charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, stemming from an incident last August on the northside between a cyclist and a motorist.
Police reported the 28-year-old driver was operating a company vehicle and turning onto 13 Street from 2 A Avenue North when the collision occurred. Immediately following the collision, the cyclist approached the vehicle and slashed the driver across the face with a knife. The resulting laceration required 17 stitches to close.
The Crown, who noted Ajang had already pleaded guilty in December to the charge of aggravated assault, was going to relate facts of the incident during court Thursday, and defence was expected to request a pre-sentence report before Ajang could be sentenced, but the sentencing hearing had to be adjourned when a translator was unavailable.
A pre-sentence report provides personal information and circumstances about an accused person, to help the judge determine a fit sentence.
Lethbridge lawyer Marcus Mueller suggested during a previous hearing, that although he and the Crown will agree on the facts of the offence, they may not agree on the length of sentence that should be imposed.

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