Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon or causing bodily harm, Dangerous operation of a conveyance, Failure to stop after an accident, Flight from a peace officer, Operation while prohibited, Resisting or obstructing a peace officer
R. v. Houle
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
Tyler William Houle was convicted of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, dangerous driving, flight from police, failing to stop after an accident, driving while prohibited and obstructing a peace officer after he repeatedly rammed an RCMP vehicle with a stolen pickup truck near Osoyoos in 2024 and drove toward the officer. The Crown sought 4.5 years in total; the defence sought 24 months. Justice Ball imposed the Crown's proposed sentence of three years on the assault count, consecutive to 18 months on the remaining counts, less 376 days of credit, citing his record of 62 prior convictions and the need to protect the public.
In the judge's words
1While Mr. Houle is aware of his situation, his record demonstrates he is unable to make the necessary changes in his behaviour and, as such, must be separated from society for its protection. A custodial sentence is necessary to avoid further risk to the public.
The record
- Convicted of
- Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon or causing bodily harm (CC 270.01)
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance (CC 320.13(1))
- Failure to stop after an accident (CC 320.16(1))
- Flight from a peace officer (CC 320.17)
- Operation while prohibited (CC 320.18(1))
- Resisting or obstructing a peace officer (CC 129(a))
- Prior convictions
- 62 prior convictions, 1 violent1
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- 2 years in custody1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: A.N. Linthorne
Defence: K.K. Chase
Sources
- R. v. Houle, 2025 BCSC 2561 Court decision, CanLII, November 17, 2025
[62] The Crown submitted that there should be an adjustment for totality with a sentence of three years on Count 1, and a reduction based on the totality principal to 18 months on Counts 2 through 6, for a total sentence of 4.5 years, subject to a deduction for pre trial custody of 251 days or 376 days at time and a half.
[70] … Defence counsel urges on the Court a sentence of 12 months on Count 1 to be consecutive to all other counts, and a global sentence of 24 months, to which would follow counselling and rehabilitative orders.
[1] THE COURT (by videoconference): These are reasons for sentence in the matter of Tyler William Houle, who is convicted of six counts on Indictment 50882, Penticton Registry.
[54] The criminal record of this accused is very intense. Prior to this case, he had a total of 62 convictions spread across the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, including two convictions for dangerous driving, three convictions for flight from police, 12 convictions for driving while prohibited or with his licence suspended, one conviction for obstruction of a police officer or resisting arrest, one conviction for assault, seven firearms‑related convictions which are of particular concern, and 11 breaches of court orders including bail orders and probation orders.
[59] While Mr. Houle is aware of his situation, his record demonstrates he is unable to make the necessary changes in his behaviour and, as such, must be separated from society for its protection. A custodial sentence is necessary to avoid further risk to the public.
[72] Having reviewed all of the matters which I have heard and read, including the circumstances of the offence, circumstances of the offender, the VIS of the constable involved, the pre-sentence report as well as the submissions of counsel, I find, the sentence proposed by Crown counsel, a three year sentence to be the fit and appropriate sentence for Count 1. Consecutive to the three‑year sentence on Count 1, sentences on Counts 2 through 6, will total three years. That three year sentence will be reduced on the totality principle to a sentence of 18 months, and subject to credit for time served of 251 real days, which is 376 days, at one and a half days credit with a remaining balance of 164 days for Counts 2 through 6. The total sentence remaining to be served will be 1,260 days.
- Criminal Code, s. 270.01 Record, Justice Laws Website
- R. v. Houle, 2025 BCSC 2561 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia