Aggravated assault, Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, Pointing a firearm, Unauthorized possession of a firearm
R. v. Durley
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
Francis Scott Durley pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for shooting the mother of his child in the stomach with a .22 calibre rifle in September 2024, and to pointing a firearm at her and her sister, uttering threats and firearm possession offences. The Crown and defence jointly recommended six years' imprisonment. Justice Rosinski accepted the joint recommendation and imposed six years less 510 days of credit for pre-sentence custody, finding the moral blameworthiness very high but that the proposal met the test for a true joint recommendation.
In the judge's words
1The moral blameworthiness associated with Mr. Durley's actions, particularly in relation to his handling and use of the .22 calibre rifle, is very high, especially as they had life endangering and enduring consequences for Shauna Timmons - see also, inter alia, s. 718.2(a).
The record
- Convicted of
- Aggravated assault (CC 268)
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (CC 88)
- Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm (CC 264.1(1)(a), 2 counts)
- Pointing a firearm (CC 87, 2 counts)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm (CC 91(1))
- Prior convictions
- Not recorded
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- 6 years in custody1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: Tracey Sturmy
Defence: Adam Rodgers
Sources
- R. v. Durley, 2025 NSSC 271 Court decision, CanLII, August 25, 2025
[5] The Crown and Defence have jointly recommended a total sentence of 6 years' imprisonment
[5] The Crown and Defence have jointly recommended a total sentence of 6 years' imprisonment
[1] This is the matter of sentencing of Francis Scott Durley for having committed a number of offences, including an aggravated assault
[31] The moral blameworthiness associated with Mr. Durley's actions, particularly in relation to his handling and use of the .22 calibre rifle, is very high, especially as they had life endangering and enduring consequences for Shauna Timmons - see also, inter alia, s. 718.2(a).
[33] I sentence Mr. Durley to 6 years' imprisonment less pre-sentence custody credit (510 days).
- Criminal Code, s. 268 Record, Justice Laws Website
- R. v. Durley, 2025 NSSC 271 Court decision, Courts of Nova Scotia