Elderly man’s attacker has 21 prior convictions

A 32-year-old woman who was convicted of robbery and forcible entry last month received a five-year jail term in territorial court Monday, minus credit for time served in pre-trial custody.

Sasha Sidney became tearful as two court sherrifs escorted her from the courtroom after her sentencing.

Sidney received a five-year sentence for the robbery charge, which was reduced to four years since Sidney spent 7 1/2 months in custody awaiting trial.

She received an 18-month concurrent sentence for forcible entry, and three concurrent 30-day sentences for breach of recognizance, resisting a peace officer and giving false information to a peace officer.

Crown counsel Jennifer Grandy asked for a four- to six-year jail sentence in her submission.

“There’s a long list of aggravating factors,“ Grandy told the court, including Sidney’s criminal record.

The woman has 21 prior convictions. They include three break and enters, eight property-related offences, four breaches of probation, and one assault, court heard.

The offences before the court stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 4, 2007.

Sidney entered the residence of an 82-year-old man, pepper-sprayed him twice in the face, and stole cash, identification papers and two firearms.

The ordeal has left the elderly victim with emotional repercussions and some financial and property losses, said Grandy. The incident occurred at his residence along the Alaska Highway in Porter Creek.

Grandy also noted in her submission that the offence contains elements of premeditation and deliberation.

Defence counsel Elaine Cairns suggested an 18- to 24-month jail sentence, followed by a period of probation, in her submission.

Cairns described her client’s personal background, saying Sidney had a difficult childhood due to her parents’ alcoholism.

Cairns said Sidney doesn’t know her biological father particularly well, and was raised by her mother and stepfather.

Cairns stressed that Sidney realizes she is perpetuating the cycle of violence she experienced growing up and that she wants to break the cycle.

Sidney feels her crime was “stooping very low” and feels remorse and sympathy for the victim, Cairns told the court.

Sidney is herself the mother of five children and hopes to one day be a nurse.

She has also had long-standing difficulties with crack cocaine addiction, court heard.

Grandy suggested that, given Sidney’s issues, a federal penitentiary would be a more appropriate place for her to gain access to rehabilitative programming.

In his decision, Judge John Faulkner said the elderly victim of the offence, who was not in court Monday,  has suffered “significant pain” and “multiple other injuries.“

“There is little to find by way of mitigation,“ Faulkner said, adding that “this is a particularly aggravated incident (of home invasion). It was clearly premeditated.“

Faulkner said the Crown’s submission of a four- to six-year sentence is “fully warranted,“ and that a request for an even longer sentence would have been justified.

Faulkner imposed a 10-year firearms prohibition and a DNA order as well.