CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - An alleged P.E.I. Hells Angels prospect club member who sucker punched another man outside of a bar in Charlottetown was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Shawn Gregory Paquet, 30, appeared before Judge Jeff Lantz for sentencing in provincial court in Charlottetown Friday.
Paquet was also sentenced to an additional 60 days in jail for criminal harassment.
The court heard on Dec. 2, Paquet was outside of The Factory Cookhouse and Dancehall in the smoking area when he punched a man who was with Paquet’s ex-girlfriend.
The incident was captured on video and was shown before the court. The video displays the victim standing along the wall, trying not to engage in the heated discussion between Paquet and his ex-girlfriend.
“He is basically looking away and trying not to engage,” said Crown attorney Lisa Goulden.
Paquet becomes focused on the victim and subsequently sucker punches him. The victim goes to the ground and is down for a period of time.
The victim did lose consciousness. He had facial injuries but did not require medical treatment.
“You never know what one punch can do. I’ve seen tragic consequences from one punch resulting in death in some cases. In one occasion, probably not more than 100 yards from that very spot.”
-Judge Jeff Lantz
The court heard on Dec. 3, Paquet had dropped off a bag of personal items to another ex-girlfriend that contained racial slurs on her bras and derogatory comments on a picture frame that held a picture of them.
She had previously contacted police Nov. 27 to report that Paquet had been continually leaving voice messages on her phone.
She asked police to speak with him because she did not want to have contact with him. Police spoke with Paquet that same day and told him to stop contacting the victim.
However, Paquet continued to leave voice messages so she went to police again Dec. 4.
At the time of these offences, Paquet was on an undertaking to keep the peace and be of good behaviour after he was arrested with eight other alleged members of the P.E.I. Hells Angels prospect club in relation to criminal and gaming offences.
Related: Hells Angels claims P.E.I. as its own territory
Paquet does have a prior criminal record of assault causing bodily harm in 2005.
Defence attorney Brendan Hubley said Paquet was under personal stress at the time and he let his emotions get the better of him.
“I think the criminal record indicates that he is not a frequent flyer by any means,” said Hubley.
In sentencing, Lantz cautioned Paquet about the tragedies that can result in a sucker punch.
“You never know what one punch can do. I’ve seen tragic consequences from one punch resulting in death in some cases. In one occasion, probably not more than 100 yards from that very spot.”
In relation to the criminal harassment charge, Lantz said Paquet made things worse when he dropped off the victim’s personal items that contained offensive words.
Paquet was sentenced to a total of 90 days in jail to be served intermittently.
He received two-year’s probation and must pay $200 to the victims of crime fund.
He also received a three-year weapons prohibition, must provide his DNA and is to refrain from having contact with the victims.
