MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — Growing up in a home where alcohol abuse and violence were present left psychological scars on Alexander Andrew Lariviere, especially since he carried on the latter action into adulthood — and a romantic relationship.
Lariviere’s now ex-girlfriend visited the Moose Jaw Police Service in mid-May to request a restraining order against him because of his alleged actions months before, Crown prosecutor Rob Parker explained recently in Moose Jaw Provincial Court.
The woman — who produced photographic proof — told police that Lariviere had assaulted her during a dispute on Jan. 7. He punched her in the ribs and stomach and head-butted her in the face, giving her a black eye.
“This was an intimate partner situation, which … is an aggravating factor,” Parker continued. “Mr. Lariviere does not have an extensive record, but he would have what I (would) describe … (as) a history of violent behaviour … .”
While some of those past offences occurred when he was a youth, two violent incidents occurred in adulthood, while this incident of assaulting an intimate partner is also concerning, the Crown added. The nature of the assault is also problematic since it wasn’t just a slap but full-on blows to the body.
As part of a joint submission between the Crown and defence, Lariviere — who pleaded guilty to the charge of common assault — will receive a three-month conditional sentence order (CSO), similar to serving jail in the community. He will then spend nine months on probation afterward.
Some conditions of the CSO include keeping the peace and being of good behaviour, maintaining a curfew of 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. unless told otherwise, coming to the door when asked by a peace officer, not possessing or consuming alcohol, drugs or non-medication drugs and not visiting any place that sells such items, giving urine or breath samples when requested, taking treatment, not possessing weapons or firearms, and not having any contact with his ex-girlfriend or being near her.
The probation conditions are virtually identical, aside from maintaining a curfew or providing breath and urine samples.
Lariviere, 26, struggled with drug addiction when this offence occurred but checked himself into the Wakamow Detox Centre for two weeks in April after it happened, Legal Aid lawyer Suzanne Jeanson said, who noted his actions destroyed the relationship.
This is Lariviere’s first substantial conviction as an adult, considering almost every other offence on his record is when he was a youth, she continued.
Meanwhile, he is Metis, so there are Gladue factors the judge must consider during sentencing. These include Lariviere growing up in a household where he saw and experienced violence while he experienced the intergenerational trauma of his grandparents abusing alcohol.
Jeanson added that Lariviere takes this sentence seriously, especially since he could go to jail if he breaches the CSO.
“I’m particularly impressed with your voluntary enrolment in detox back in April and the fact … you continue to be sober since then,” said Judge David Chow. “I encourage you to continue on that path.”
Chow then accepted the joint submission and agreed to waive the victim surcharge.
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