Teen responsible for C.P. Allen stabbings sentenced to probation

The teenager who stabbed two staff members at a Halifax-area high school has been sentenced to two years of probation.

The Crown had pushed for a custodial sentence for the 16-year-old, but Judge Elizabeth Buckle ruled Friday in Halifax youth court that he can be held accountable and continue his rehabilitation without serving further time in a youth jail.

Buckle described the teen’s attacks on March 20, 2023, at Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, N.S., as serious and unprovoked, and said he caused serious physical and psychological injuries to a vice-principal and a school staff member.

However, the judge noted the teenager has had a history of mental health issues and was experiencing distress at the time.

She said he has also shown remorse for his actions, pleading guilty in March to two counts of aggravated assault and writing a letter of apology to the victims expressing regret for hurting them.

In her sentencing decision, Buckle took into account that the teen served about 100 days in pretrial custody during which he reported being bullied.

She also referred to violations of his Charter rights by Halifax Regional Police who made audio recordings of him following his arrest that included health information, and by a sheriff’s deputy whose photo of the teen on a court security monitor screen ended up on social media, breaching the protection of his identity required under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. 

Victim leaves court before hearing ends

The teen, who was 15 at the time, had four knives in his possession when he was called to the school office to explain putting up unauthorized posters in the school. During a discussion about possible consequences, including suspension, he stabbed the vice-principal twice.

The vice-principal had to have a tube inserted in his chest after he was taken to hospital and required surgery for an injury to his diaphragm.

The staff member who heard his screams was also stabbed.

She has still not returned to work and both victims continue to suffer psychological trauma. Their families have also been dealing with anxiety in the aftermath.

The staff member got up and left the courtroom in a hurry before the end of the hearing. Others who were in attendance supporting the victims appeared frustrated.

“This is a very stressful and very emotional matter. This happened within the context of their work environment. And this has had a profound effect on the victims and will continue to do so for the rest of their lives,” said Crown prosecutor Terry Nickerson.

Nickerson said the judge gave what he described as a “reasoned and detailed” decision, and said it was clear the conduct of police and the sheriff’s deputy had an impact on it.

Buckle said the stabbings also affected the community at large, creating unease among students and parents.

The defence did not dispute the seriousness of the offences, the judge acknowledged, but argued a custodial sentence could impact the teen’s rehabilitation.

Experts who testified previously said the 16-year-old could be managed through a sentence in the community with an integrated team working collaboratively to continue his treatment.

To this point, the judge said, the teenager has demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation, suggesting reason for cautious optimism.

Banned from having knives

Buckle imposed conditions as part of the teen’s probation, which include attending treatment and living with his parents.

He is prohibited from possessing any weapons, including knives, and must abide by a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The teen cannot be within 50 metres of his victims’ workplace or home and will also have to wear an electronic monitoring device on his ankle.

Buckle said she hopes the teen comes to appreciate the enormity of his actions.