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
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.