P.E.I. man sentenced to time served for stabbing

A man was sentenced to time served for stabbing a man four times in a drug dispute that escalated into a violent altercation.

Blake Miles Ronald Pursey will remain in custody for a few more days, however, while his transfer to a transition unit is prepared.

Provincial Court Judge John Douglas Tuesday gave Pursey credit of 70 days for time served.

Pursey pleaded guilty last month to assault with a weapon.

Pursey and Brody Carl Taylor got into a heated exchange on Aug. 20 in Charlottetown over the purchase of speed.

Taylor leapt from his car and pursued Pursey, pinning him on the ground and biting his cheek.

Pursey pulled a knife and stabbed Taylor twice in the arm and twice in the back.

One stab wound in the arm caused a “significant’’ slice wound.

“I would characterize this as a very serious assault,’’ Crown attorney Nathan Beck told the court.

Pursey’s lawyer Thane MacEachern noted that Taylor was the aggressor in the altercation but added that Pursey acknowledges his use of a knife “was excessive.’’

Pursey told the judge he was not looking for trouble when he first approached Taylor, hoping to “just talk it out.’’

However, he notes, the interaction escalated into a “pretty scary situation.’’

Pursey added that he plans to deal with his addiction, attend Holland College and turn his life around.

Douglas termed the assault a “very serious offence’’ but noted it was not premeditated and said he recognized that Pursey tried to avoid physical confrontation when he fled on foot before being pursued and caught by Taylor.

Douglas also acknowledged that Pursey had a “very unfortunate start to life’’ that included being sexually assaulted at age eight.