Woman who assaulted police officer and father sentenced to a year probation

A young woman who assaulted a police officer and her father, pulling hair out of his head, was sentenced in a Steinbach court Friday.

Dana Harvey Wolchock, was charged with two counts of assault on Sept. 2, 2023, and Nov. 9, 2023.

“Most often an adult in that situation is looking at jail,” said Judge Robert Heinrichs.

Wolchock was walking around Ste Anne’s Centrale Avenue intoxicated and evading police around town, court heard. She was hiding in bushes for several hours, running through private properties to escape, and climbing into a passing vehicle.

Court heard when she was arrested, she was kicking, shouting profanities, scratching, and biting police.

“She’s Indigenous she doesn’t need more doors closed,” said defence lawyer Mat Schwartz.

Two months after, her father called police because she was making a “ruckus” at home. Her father wanted her charged for assault, but Wolchock fled the home before police got there.

She returned to the residence, and her father called the police again. She taunted the officers: “I’m right here are you going to arrest me?” she said.

Wolchock had recently turned 18 years old at the time.

Defence lawyer Mat Schwartz wanted an absolute discharge, meaning her criminal record would only show the charge for a year.

Crown attorney Jennifer Neufeld wanted her to go through “significant” counselling.

Court heard she went through instability throughout her life like residing with mom and dad back and forth, moving to different provinces, and fighting with her dad during the pandemic. She was also exposed to drugs as young as 7-years-old.

A conditional discharge shows a criminal record for three years.

Judge Heinrichs sentenced Wolchuck to a conditional discharge of a year of probation.