- An Edmonton city man who committed “every woman’s nightmare” when he abducted a stranger at knifepoint and raped her in her home should be handed a 16-year prison term.
- That’s what Crown prosecutor Avril Herron argued Tuesday at a sentencing hearing for Philip Skulnec.
- The 31-year-old electrician was convicted on Nov. 20 of sexual assault causing bodily harm, kidnapping, unlawful confinement and possession of a dangerous weapon stemming from a Dec. 1, 2007, attack in the Oliver area.
- “The attack was random, terrifying and degrading,” said Herron. “To use a cliche, the experiences of the victim in this matter are the subject of every woman’s nightmares.”
- Defence lawyer David Paull suggested a sentence of between six and eight years, arguing it isn’t the worst case of its kind and saying “as creepy as it sounds,” Skulnec at times treated the victim “like a girlfriend.”
- Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Denny Thomas responded by asking about the fact he had found Skulnec guilty of “sodomizing” the victim with a 40-ounce rum bottle.
- When asked if he had anything to say, Skulnec asked for “mercy” and maintained he is “innocent” of the crimes.
- Thomas is slated to sentence Skulnec Wednesday.
- Skulnec’s claim it was a consensual “night of wild sex” was rejected by the judge over the victim’s tale of “sheer unmitigated horror” and a “night of terror and pain.”
- Thomas also said it “defied belief” that the victim would have willingly got together with a complete stranger who was intoxicated and agreed to undergo “degrading” acts.
- The victim — a 27-year-old European who cannot be identified under a publication ban — had testified a machete-armed Skulnec followed her out of the elevator at her Oliver apartment building, chased her up a stairwell, then forced her into her 15th-floor suite. The woman said she underwent a 5½-hour ordeal where her hands and ankles were bound, she was made to snort cocaine and was then raped and violated.
I agree with the Defence's suggestion of between 6-8 years for this man. I feel that 16 years is far too harsh. Again, prison is not effective in deterring crime and does not decrease the crime rate. It has damaging effects on inmates and I feel that only the most dangerous and violent repeat offenders should be sent there. Yes, this was a horrible act that he committed, but we don't know if he has a lengthy and/or violent record.
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