Longtime Peterborough pharmacist Doug Shier has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for trying to have his ex-partner killed.

"The offence committed in this case is chilling," Justice Joseph Di Luca read Wednesday in his ruling in Superior Court of Justice in Peterborough.

"Mr. Shier was angry because his ex was living a funded and carefree lifestyle on his hard-earned dime."

Shier, the 58-year-old former co-owner of Sullivan's Pharmacy in East City, was arrested by Peterborough Police in the winter of 2016 after an investigation led to Shier hiring an undercover officer to kill his ex-partner. Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to counselling the commission of murder not committed.

"The offence was calculated and cold," Di Luca said.

"One need only to listen to the nature, tone and content of the discussions with the uncover officer (name omitted to protect the identity of the officer)."

Police caught wind of Shier's plan in January 2016 when a longtime confidential informant contacted them about Shier's desire to have his ex-partner murdered.

The investigators' first move was to send an undercover officer into Sullivan's Pharmacy on Hunter St. E. The female officer indicated she had heard Shier was having a problem with his ex and gave the pharmacist a piece of paper with a number written on it, and told Shier that "Shane" was expecting his call. Shier did not call the number left by the undercover officer, but police decided that further contact was required, and that's when the undercover officer posing as Shane entered the investigation.

Shane met Shier in the parking lot of the pharmacy and asked him if Shier was still having a problem with his ex. Shier indicated that he still had the piece of paper in his pocket with the number written on it, and a further meeting was arranged at Boston Pizza where Shier told Shane he wanted his ex dead. The cost was $15,000 with a 10 per cent deposit, which Shier paid. The undercover officer offered Shier an opportunity to back out of the agreement, but he declined, court heard. Shane indicated his target would die within a couple of days.

"Mr Shier needs no persuasion," Di Luca said.

"He knows what he wants and he clearly wants the victim (name omitted to protect identity) killed."

He concluded the offence was motivated in large measure by a desire to stop paying monthly support payments of $6,000.

"I find this was about money," Di Luca said.

"He also wants the body found so that he can stop paying support payments."

Shier's defence team of Jeffrey Ayotte and Michael Gunsolus asked for the a three-year sentence for their client, stating the judge was tasked with sentencing "a good person," who did a bad thing.

As he did throughout all his court appearances, Shier had an entourage in court Wednesday. Many of them wrote character references in support of him. Ayotte's submissions also included an overview of Shier's 22-year relationship with his ex-partner, and reports from a counsellor and two psychiatrists.

According to court documents, the relationship was physically and emotionally abusive in nature. Because of that, Shier suffers from chronic anxiety and depression, according to psychiatrist Dr. Julian Gojer. In his sentencing, Di Luca said this isn't a case where the mitigating circumstances warrant a sentence at the low end of the range.

"He is a very successful pharmacist and business man with extensive family and community support," Di Luca stated.

"Yet he has committed an extremely serious offence that is both cold and calculated."

The sentence was two years less than the eight years sought by the prosecution team of Crown attorney Frank Schwalm and assistant crown attorney Sam Humphrey. In its sentencing submissions, the prosecution noted that the principals of denunciation and deterrence are paramount given the domestic context within which the crime occurred.

"The domestic context of this offence is aggravating both under statute and in accordance with the common law," Di Luca agreed.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

The judge felt Shier had complete intent for first degree murder, and had the undercover officer actually been a hit man, his job would have been a lot easier.

"I would have had no option but to sentence him to life imprisonment without a chance of parole for 25 years," Di Luca explained.

He deducted six months off his sentence for strict pre-sentence bail conditions, leaving Shier 5 1/2 years to serve behind bars.