A trial that has been dragged out for over a year is finally over.
Reggie Harris, an Estevan man, has been sentenced to five and a half years in custody plus 10 years under community supervision after his release. Judge Murray Hinds gave Harris credit for time served, so he will remain in custody for another four years and one month.
In Regina provincial court on Monday, Hinds decided to classify Harris a dangerous offender.
"I further determine that evidence produced at the sentencing hearing, in particular Dr. Terry Nicholaichuk's testimony, has led me to conclude an intermediate sentence is not required in this case," the judge said.
Upon his release, Harris will appear in court where it will be decided if he is allowed to return to the Estevan area.
This was not the 29-year-old Harris's first brush with crime. His turbulent criminal past includes a total of 52 convictions, 22 convictions of which he acquired as a youth and 30 of which he obtained as an adult.
During Harris's time in prison he will be required to attend counselling and treatment for substance abuse as well as anger management. Upon his release, he will be required to continue treatment.
Hinds said Harris has a pattern of persistent aggressive behaviour, which results in impulsive crimes that involve little planning where he is not usually provoked. The Crown prosecutor has noted that if there is a breach of conditions once Harris is in the community, the dangerous offender designation could mean his next sentence is an indeterminate one.
