SRSS student sentenced for suckerpunch

An SRSS student who faked a handshake to suckerpunch another student he barely knew that knocked the victim unconscious was given probation in Steinbach court.

The 18-month supervised probation sentence on Feb. 21 was a joint recommendation from the Crown prosecution and defence. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.

The man who is now 19 was a student on May 23, 2023 when he told two other acquaintances – who insisted in their statements that they were not his friends – that they should jump the victim, another SRSS student.

The perpetrator extended his hand as if to shake hands with the victim as they walked towards each other near the high school. That is when he threw a punch and knocked the victim out.

The victim did not get up for several minutes. The perpetrator was seen on security camera walking calmly off without offering assistance.

The victim was helped into a school office where help was called.

He was brought to Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg where screws were put into his jaw because it was broken in two places. Eating and speaking was difficult for months after.

Crown attorney Jennifer Neufeld pointed out that one punch assaults have ended up in court with even more serious consequences, including manslaughter convictions after the victim died.

Judge David Ireland said in court that the perpetrator would be looking at potentially significant jail time if he had been 18 when the assault occurred.

Defence attorney Kyle Morgan said the perpetrator was off his medication for ADHD at the time. He has since been to anger management counseling.

Conditions of the probation include having no contact with the victim, attending more counseling as directed by probation services, and submitting a DNA sample.