CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A Charlottetown man pleaded guilty to assault in provincial court Thursday for what the Crown called a “crime of cruelty’’ that left the woman bruised, bloody and traumatized.
Agam Darjee was sentenced to 150 days in jail for assault. He was given credit of 84 days for time served, leaving him with 66 days of incarceration.
Reading in the agreed statement of facts, Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald told the court Darjee, 32, got in a spat with his sister over what to watch on television.
Darjee grabbed the woman by the hair, dragged her and punched his sister "many times'' all over her body.
He then called his brother to assist him.
Agam used a rag to tie his sister’s legs. She was eventually able to get free, leave the Charlottetown home, and seek help in contacting the police.
She was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for assessment.
“The victim received several bruises and also had a bloody nose," Judge Jeff Lantz said before sentencing Agam.
“The assault was made worse by the fact he then tied his sister up. This must have been very traumatic for the victim … in addition to the physical injuries, I am sure this must have been psychologically very hard on her as well."
MacDonald voiced concern that the victim “does not have an extensive support network here in this province".
Agam will be on probation for 18 months following his release. The judge ordered him to refrain from having any contact with his sister.
Agam’s own defence lawyer, Alex Dalton, called the assault “an extremely violent offence".
Dalton said her client acknowledges the need to address his issues with alcohol use and anger management.
“He is ashamed of his actions and knows it is wrong," she said.
Dalton noted that Agam, a native of Nepal, moved to P.E.I. in 2014. He is a permanent resident and hopes to attain Canadian citizenship.
He had been employed at a grocery store for about one year, added Dalton, and he wants to continue studying English at Holland College. Agam was assisted in court by an interpreter.
Agam’s brother Bal Agam has also been charged in connection with the assault but has yet to be dealt with in court.
