Sentencing on assault charges adjourned

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on March 7, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge man who admits he stabbed a couple of people during a drunken dispute at a nightclub a year ago, will not be sentenced until later this spring.

John Nickolas Gondurak-Courtoreille pleaded guilty last week in Lethbridge provincial court to charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon, but sentencing was adjourned for two months to allow time for the preparation of pre-sentence and Gladue reports.

The reports consider systemic and background factors of an aboriginal offender, and the types of sentencing procedures and sanctions that are appropriate in the circumstances.

Two additional charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, are expected to be withdrawn when Gondurak-Courtoreille is sentenced on May 12.

Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Crown Prosecutor James Rouleau told court that on March 6, 2022 Gondurak-Courtoreille was with a group of friends at a city bar. At about 2 a.m. Gondurak-Courtoreille became embroiled in a dispute with several people, which shortly afterward got out of hand.

“It evolved to the point of a physical altercation, and finally escalated to the point of several people being stabbed,” Rouleau described. “The physical altercation ended after the accused produced a folding knife.”

Gondurak-Courtoreille stabbed one man six times in the back and chest, two of which narrowly missed the victim’s heart, and one which pierced his liver. He was rushed to the hospital where he required surgery for multiple serious stab wounds.

During the fight, Gondurak-Courtoreille also stabbed a man who was trying to break up the fight and separate the two combatants. The second victim had to be treated at the hospital for two knife wounds to one of his legs.

Courtoreille also sustained a knife wound to one of his hands, and he was taken to the hospital where he was eventually arrested and admitted he had a knife and swung it around during the altercation.

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