A Barrhead resident convicted of aggravated assault last month (May 24), was sentenced to 42 months — 28 of which remain to be served, following a two-week adjournment for deliberations by Judge Bruce Garriock.
Coltin Jacob Demuth, 19, appeared in Barrhead Provincial Court on Tuesday, June 28, to accept the sentence.
“The Crown’s position, throughout the process, had been to seek six years of incarceration,” Garriock said, adding the defence had sought a term of 15-months and probation, plus conditions.
Garriock said he considered a wide range of sentencing options, from 21-months to nine years, and while both the Crown and defence presented a variety of cases that were designed to highlight related scenarios and appropriate sentences, Garriock cited section 718.1 of the Criminal Code — sentencing that is proportionate to the gravity of the offence, when handing down his verdict.
“I am satisfied that the sustained, violent attack inflicted by Demuth upon his mother, was of a deliberate nature,” Garriock said, adding given the fact that Demuth continues to show symptoms of psychosis months after what authorities insist was his last use of methamphetamine, there is strong evidence of a much larger mental health issue.
“Both incidents, the first incident of assault on July 9, and the second more serious attack on Sept. 11, were carried out in the one place his victim should have felt safe and that was in her home,” he said, adding society will not condone this type of behaviour.
On Sept. 11, 2015, Barrhead RCMP detachment members were called out to a residence in Campsie to assist Emergency Services, whereupon it was discovered that under a narcotic-fueled rage, Demuth assaulted his mother and caused multiple severe injuries to her face, neck and upper torso.
Demuth, who was arrested Sept. 12, 2015, had spent nine months and sixteen days in custody prior to his sentencing.
