Barrie man at the centre of violent arrest sentenced for unrelated charges
Skyler Kent sat in a Barrie courtroom on Friday, his gaze fixed straight ahead, as the 22-year-old pleaded guilty to seven charges, the most recent of which was in July 2022.
Among the charges were three assault offences related to choking, biting, and closing a door on an ex-girlfriend, whom he accused of being unfaithful.
The Crown presented video evidence of some of the incidents to the judge.
Kent also pleaded guilty to violating a court order to cease contact with his ex-girlfriend and to uttering death threats to several girls and a former Barrie police officer.
He was handed an all-encompassing global sentence of one year in prison, with enhanced credit for time served in custody due to the harsh jail conditions, meaning he only had to serve four more days.
Additionally, he was given two years probation and a five-year weapon prohibition upon his release.
The harsh conditions Kent experienced in custody included lockdowns due to understaffed prisons during the pandemic, triple bunking in a cell, and being cellmates with his father, who had substance abuse and mental health issues.
As part of his sentence, he is not allowed to have any contact or communication with any of the victims or their families.
VIOLENT 2021 ARREST
In 2021, Kent was publicly and violently arrested by Barrie police officer Jason Stamp, who has since resigned from the service.
Kent was accused of skateboarding through a red light and causing a disturbance.
Following the arrest that was caught on cell phone video and shared on social media, an OPP investigation was launched, and Stamp was charged with assault and assault with a weapon for his use of a taser during the incident. Civil action is still in process in the matter.
In July 2022, Kent posted an expletive-laden Facebook video in which he threatened to kill Jason Stamp and others.
The Crown stated that Stamp was made aware of the video and believed there was a genuine threat to his safety.
The defence argued that Kent's mental health issues, including anxiety and multiple personality disorders, were tied to a troubled and abusive upbringing that had resulted in a history of self-harm since the age of 14. He apologized to the court, acknowledging that mental health was not an excuse for his actions.
The Crown requested an 18-month sentence and three years probation, but the defence's sentencing recommendation was ultimately accepted by the judge, who cited Kent's youth and mental struggles as mitigating factors. However, the judge also noted that Kent's actions were concerning and dangerous. The judge also gave strong consideration to the victim impact statements.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.