ATHABASCA – A 22-year-old woman from Calling Lake is going to need to be on her best behavior for the next year after an incident that saw her attack the father of her child following an argument over baby formula.
In Athabasca Court of Justice July 24, Trista Diamond Gambler, 23, pleaded guilty to a single charge of assault as part of a joint submission between Crown prosecutor Brett Grierson, and duty counsel Robert Gladu.
Justice Jeffrey Morrison accepted the joint submission and handed down a conditional discharge with a year of probation, which will allow her to avoid a criminal record if she adheres to the conditions of the probation.
“There’s no reason to not accept the joint submission,” Morrison said, noting the accused’s lack of a record and the victim’s willingness to move past the incident.
Grierson told court that on June 9, 2023, in Calling Lake, Athabasca RCMP received a complaint from a man in Calling Lake who told police that Gambler had assaulted him after an argument over baby formula.
Grierson said that when the police arrived, they found the man with scrapes and bruises over his neck and arms.
Gladu told court that Gambler was unemployed and was a stay-at-home mother to two kids, who are a year and two months old respectively.
Gambler had already started to get counselling for anger management through a program called the Terra Centre, which is based out of Edmonton and provides supports for young mothers.
In addition to the anger management counselling, the conditional discharge will also see Gambler take counselling for alcohol usage.
"I’m glad to see that you’re taking proactive steps. You’re 22, you don’t have a criminal record, and no one wants to see you get one unless it is absolutely necessary,” said Justice Morrison.
