'Constantly victimizing his mother' — Man sentenced for string of incidents

Robert MacLeod's anger targeted two women in his life, and in particular his mother.

The 37-year-old man assaulted his mom and repeatedly damaged her property, Ontario Court Justice Heather Mendes heard Thursday.

He pleaded guilty to nine charges, five of which stemmed from incidents involving his mother.

The offences included the assault, three counts of mischief, and breach of a release order. 

The other charges related to a partner, and failure to comply with a release document and court orders.

MacLeod was at his mother's home on May 7, where he became angry, yelling and swearing at her, and prevented her from calling 911.

Earlier in the day, the accused had been Involved in an incident involving his partner at her home, prosecutor Marie-Eve Talbot said.

The woman told police a verbal argument erupted, MacLeod tossed her belongings out of the residence, damaging a bottle of perfume, and then fled.

On May 10, he threw a steel-toed boot at his mother's front door, smashing a window, and locked her inside.

In October, officers were dispatched to the accused's mother's home for a wellness check after a neighbour reported hearing him yelling at the woman.

He pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a release order in connection with the incident.

On Jan 1, MacLeod's mother contacted police, indicating he was there, was refusing to leave and she was going to stay with a friend until officers arrived.

The following day, she provided a statement indicating he had assaulted her on New Year's day and damaged property the day before.

MacLeod grabbed her by the shoulder and pushed her up against a wall, Talbot said.

He also threw paint on a hardwood floor, smashed a TV and damaged drywall.

The Crown and defence lawyer Jessica Belisle jointly recommended that the accused be sentenced to time served – the equivalent of 160 days – plus two years probation.

Talbot cited a number of aggravating factors, including the accused's short, dated record for violence.

She also pointed to the recent incidents, where MacLeod was "constantly victimizing his mother" and damaging her property. 

Belisle disagreed the record was aggravating, pointing out it was from 15 years ago.

She said her client struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues

"He has been sober since he was brought into custody," she told the court, indicating MacLeod will reside with his father and has a plan to work with the John Howard Society following his release.

Mendes agreed there were a number of aggravating factors, included the accused's repeated mischief to his mother's property.

The joint position is fair, she said, given the guilty pleas.

During his probation, MacLeod must take any recommended counselling for anger management, as well as mental health and other issues.

He is to to have no contact with his mother and his partner, and must stay away from their residences.

As well, he must provide a DNA sample for the national database.

MacLeod, who faces other charges, had those matters traversed to bail court for a hearing.