Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 08/01) - A man who pepper-sprayed and punched a complete stranger on the street will be going to jail for 30 days.

Christopher Banksland, 21, pleaded guilty in territorial court Tuesday to one count of assault with a weapon.

The court heard that on May 27 at about 7 a.m., Banksland was outside the Gold Range Bar when he pepper-sprayed a 39-year-old man in the face. He then punched the man in the mouth, causing his lip to bleed, and sprayed him again.

A police officer driving by on another matter saw part of the incident take place and made the arrest.

Banksland had in his pocket at the time of arrest a can of dog repellent he had found on the ground days before.

Banksland was intoxicated at the time and reportedly had no recollection of the event, nor did he know the victim.

"I'm sorry for what I have done," he told the court before sentencing. "I wouldn't have done it if I knew what I was doing."

On top of the 30-day sentence, Judge Brian Bruser issued a five-year firearms prohibition, except for subsistence hunting in Holman, where Banksland's parents live.