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“I appreciate there’s many factors that go on behind the scenes, but I have to say this

is getting close to the area where the court might have to reject a joint submission,” Popescul said.

Nevertheless, after adjourning for 20 minutes to consider the sentence, Popescul accepted the joint submission from Macnab and defence lawyer Patrick Mc-Dougall, noting trial courts have also been directed by higher courts that joint submissions are to be taken very seriously.

“I must say the joint sentence of 27.5 months is certainly on the very, very low edges of what I’m legally permitted to consider, but …

I am prepared to follow the joint submission,” Popescul said.

Davis was originally charged with sexual assault causing bodily harm and unlawful confinement relating to a 26-hour period over June 17 and 18, 2013, when he repeatedly had intercourse with a 23-year-old woman without her consent.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of sexual assault and the Crown stayed the charge of unlawful confinement. The woman’s identity is subject to a publication ban.

Davis also pleaded guilty to mischief for breaking the woman’s cellphone in half, and to uttering threats while brandishing a skateboard and telling the woman he would “f–her up” if she tried to escape from the hotel room at the Northwoods Inn where the assaults took place.

The woman ultimately escaped after she threw a bedside phone at Davis and ran out of the room wearing only her bra.