WESTLOCK – An area man who returned his father’s vehicle damaged, then came to blows with the man in what his lawyer called “a family situation with a long history between the parties” now faces an 18-month suspended sentence and $500-plus restitution order.
In Westlock Provincial Court Aug. 3, Bradley James Manary pleaded guilty to assault, amended from assault with a weapon, and taking a motor vehicle without consent, while two additional assault charges, two mischief (obstruction and damage under $5,000) counts and one charge of threats to cause death/bodily harm were withdrawn by Crown prosecutor Brett Grierson.
Judge Joanne Heudes agreed to a joint-sentence submission from Grierson and defence lawyer Daniel Chivers that’ll see Manary serve an 18-month suspended sentence that includes probation and a host of conditions including no contact with his father.
“I wish you well with this,” said Judge Heudes, while Manary declined comment when asked by the judge if he had anything to say.
Manary, who has previous Criminal Code convictions for dangerous operation of motor vehicle from June 2000 and mischief from April 2009, has also been ordered to pay $506 in restitution to his father, plus $200 in victim-fine surcharges.
Grierson told court that at 4:09 p.m., March 19, 2022, RCMP were contacted by Manary’s 65-year-old father who told them his son had assaulted him at his farm located on Range Road 255.
On Jan. 7, 2022, the father had allowed his son to borrow a vehicle but had eventually asked for it to returned. On March 3, the father filed a complaint with the RCMP that the truck still hadn’t been returned and when he did get it back March 19, it had a damage to front end.
Minutes after leaving the farm, Manary returned to retrieve some property from the truck and a physical altercation ensued between the two men. A woman who tried to break up the fight was also struck, while both men suffered “minor scratching and bruising” while the victim’s glasses were broken.
“It’s unclear who instigated the physical confrontation, but punches were thrown and both men fell to the ground,” said Grierson.
Contacted by police following the incident, Manary turned himself in.
“It’s certainly a family situation with a long history between the two parties,” said Chivers.
