Dangerous operation causing bodily harm, Assault with a weapon
R. v. Wood
- Below the Crown's ask
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
Catherine Susanne Wood, who goes by Ms. Innes, was convicted after trial of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon for deliberately driving her truck over the victim's leg in Chilliwack in December 2021, breaking three bones; a count of assault causing bodily harm was conditionally stayed. The Crown sought 12 months in jail followed by 12 months' probation, and she asked for a conditional sentence. Justice Walkem imposed 11 months' jail followed by 12 months' probation, rejecting a conditional sentence because of her lack of insight into the harm and the need for deterrence and denunciation, while treating her as a first-time offender.
In the judge's words
1Such a sentence appropriately sanctions this serious offence while recognizing that Ms. Innes is a first-time offender. I note that this is a sentence which is on the very low end of the range for similar crimes with a similar impact. I consider it appropriate, however, on consideration of the totality of Ms. Innes' circumstances.
The record
- Convicted of
- Dangerous operation causing bodily harm (CC 320.13(2))
- Assault with a weapon (CC 267(a))
- Prior convictions
- 0 prior convictions1
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: D.J. Williams
Defence: Self-represented (amicus curiae: P.R. Derksen)
Sources
- R. v. Wood, 2025 BCSC 2038 Court decision, CanLII, July 25, 2025
[25] The Crown submits that Ms. Innes should be sentenced to 12 months in jail concurrently on Counts 1 and 2. Following that, the Crown seeks a probation order for 12 months
[8] So we are here today for the sentencing of Ms. Wood. I understand that you prefer to be referred to as Ms. Innes and I will do so for the remainder of these reasons.
[32] … Ms. Innes does not have a criminal record aside from a relatively minor motor vehicle record.
[52] Such a sentence appropriately sanctions this serious offence while recognizing that Ms. Innes is a first-time offender. I note that this is a sentence which is on the very low end of the range for similar crimes with a similar impact. I consider it appropriate, however, on consideration of the totality of Ms. Innes' circumstances.
[43] … I sentence you as follows: 11 months of jail followed by 12 months on a probation order with the following terms.
- Criminal Code, s. 267 Record, Justice Laws Website
- R. v. Wood, 2025 BCSC 2038 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia