Man sentenced to 5 years for random attack

Random attack nets man 5 years

A judge has sentenced a man guilty of a random, unprovoked knife attack to five years in prison, jumping a Crown recommendation by 20 months.

Steven McIvor pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for a violent, three-on-one attack of a man waiting for a bus.

“This is precisely the kind of incident the public fears because it can’t be predicted or prevented,” said Judge Tracey Lord. “Denunciation and deterrence must be paramount considerations in circumstances such as these.”

Lord adjourned a sentencing hearing last month after saying she was not convinced a 40-month prison sentence recommended by the Crown was sufficient punishment for the crime.

“An attack like this can only be deterred by the consequences received by way of sentences,” Lord said Tuesday.

Court heard McIvor and two youths were looking to rob somebody when they spotted the victim waiting at a Selkirk Avenue bus stop at 7 a.m. on July 5, 2008.

McIvor stabbed the man in the chest and side and one of the youths beat him with an “8-ball” — a sock stuffed with a pool ball.

The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition and came close to death, Lord said.

“All that was ultimately taken from him was his head band,” she said.

McIvor received double-credit for time served, reducing his remaining sentence to 28 1/2 months.

I would like to know more about the defence lawyer's recommendations, arguments and any mitigating factors or information about the accused's background life. This article is biased and favours the Crown. 

I do not agree with 5 years prison. Deterrence should not be a sentencing factor because it is ineffective. Prison does not deter. Most criminals are impulsive and not rational. Most do not consider the consequences of their actions or the possibility of prison. Loner prison sentences increase recidivism and decrease the likelihood of successful reintegration as the individual becomes dependent, institutionalized and negatively influenced by the prison environment and subculture. If I knew the mitigating circumstances, I could propose a reasonable sentence, but unfortunately, this article fails to mention them!