Vigilante punished

2-17-2008 Canada:

An Edmonton man who took the law into his own hands when he beat up an alleged sex offender was lectured on the dangers of vigilantism by a judge yesterday.

Kyle Aaron Bounds, 26, was given a 15-month conditional sentence to be served in the community after earlier pleading guilty to assault causing bodily harm.

Provincial court Judge Robert Philp told Bounds he only avoided being put behind bars because he didn't have a previous criminal record and the incident was said to be "totally out of character" for him.

However, the judge warned him that it was not appropriate to take part in vigilante justice.

"You can't do that," said Philp. "It is dangerous."

ATTACKED AT HOME

Crown prosecutor Chantelle Washenfelder told court Bounds and Shawn Hall went to a man's south-side home about 8 p.m. on May 2 and accused him of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

The two men repeatedly punched him in the face and head area, pushed him down a flight of stairs and then left after telling the bloodied victim: "Call the police, we're coming back," said Washenfelder.

Court heard the victim suffered a broken nose, four chipped teeth and cuts and contusions to his facial area.

"It was, in its essence, vigilante justice," said Washenfelder, adding Hall has not been apprehended and there is a warrant out for his arrest.

Defence lawyer Mona Duckett said Bounds has no record for violence and is regarded as a "peaceable man."

The judge placed Bounds under house arrest for the first nine months of the sentence and ordered him to abide by a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for the balance. Bounds was also ordered to perform 75 hours of community service and to provide a sample of his DNA for the national DNA databank in Ottawa. He is also forbidden from going within two blocks of the victim's home.

ONGOING INVESTIGATION

Washenfelder told court a police investigation is still ongoing regarding the sexual assault allegations. ..more.. by TONY BLAIS, COURT BUREAU