Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/12/2017 (1014 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

A member of the Canadian Armed Forces has been sentenced to house arrest after admitting to tying his son outside during the winter as a form of punishment.

The CFB Shilo soldier pleaded guilty to assault and uttering threats earlier this year on the day his trial was supposed to be held.

The Brandon Sun is not naming the accused in order to protect the identity of the victims.

Crown attorney Deidre Badcock told Brandon provincial court on Thursday that between January and February 2014, the man tied his six-year-old son to a tree outside with very little clothes on because he was angry with him.

The boy was outside for less than five minutes and the tie was left loose, defence lawyer Bob Harrison added.

"Thankfully (his son) did not have any injuries from that, although I think the court will probably agree when I say the lasting impact on him is going to be for a very long time," Badcock said.

In September 2015, the man’s 11-year-old daughter recorded him uttering threats to his wife, telling her "he would kill her if he leaves him" and that if she went to the police he would kill her, Badcock said.

"What’s of concern from that incident is not only that it’s domestic, but that (the daughter) cowers behind a sofa and records all this — she is fearful for her mother," Badcock said.

"Emotions can run very high and unfortunately sometimes comments are made that shouldn’t be said … he made those comments in the heat of the argument," Harrison said.

Through interviews with the children, Badcock said it was clear the children loved their father, but they lived their life "walking on eggshells," afraid to do such things as finishing the milk or walk in front of the television.

"Children should feel safe and protected in their home in the care of their parents," Badcock said. "It’s fundamental to their … development that they have that feeling of safety."

Harrison said the man has served in the military for approximately 13 years, having been to Afghanistan on at least two occasions, having been shot at and watched comrades get "blown up."

He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and had also developed an alcohol problem, Harrison added, in addition to the painful breakdown of his marriage.

"I’ve done everything in my power to change myself," the man told the court. "I just want to be the dad I know I can be."

Judge Donovan Dvorak sentenced the man to four months house arrest.

"This was very abusive behaviour and certainly it can have a long-term impact," Dvorak said. "It’s difficult for a child victim — they love their father, I’m sure they would love to see you, but on the other hand there is also the impact this offence has had on their emotional health."

» edebooy@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @erindebooy