Winnipeg youth sentenced for violent attack, judge wonders if people feel safe

WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg boy has been handed the maximum youth sentence for a violent attack and robbery of women at a Winnipeg mall.

The 15-year-old has been sentenced to three years custody and community supervision.

The youth had pleaded guilty to five counts of robbery, three counts of assault and other charges for the crimes committed last November at and near the Tyndall Market mall Liquor Mart.

In handing down the sentence the judge said the violence affected the entire city.

The boy injured two female staff, threatened to stab two other women at a nearby store and tried to rob two others before being tackled by a man and held for police.

The teen cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

“The impact of these offences is not restricted to the persons involved,” provincial court Judge Dale Schille told the court Tuesday.

“This is the type of incident which is likely to cause some Winnipeg residents to pose the question to themselves whether the city is as safe as they thought it was, or if this could happen in the middle of the afternoon at a busy shopping mall, is anyone really safe anywhere in the city.”

With credit for time served, the 15-year-old has two years and three months remaining on his sentence, but court heard he will likely only serve nine months of that in secure custody while undergoing substance abuse and mental health treatment.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union represents Liquor Mart employees.

The union said in a statement it hopes the conclusion of the court case will bring closure to members, including the victims and their families.

“This was a horrific, violent attack on one of our members — something she will live with for the rest of her life,” the statement reads. (CTV Winnipeg)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 26, 2020.