Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 14/02) - A 27-year-old man had nothing to say as he was convicted of brutally beating his live-in girlfriend.

Jalna Capot Blanc pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, uttering threats to cause bodily harm and breach of recognizance.

Territorial court Judge Michel Bourassa sentenced Capot Blanc to 17 months in prison for the assault and uttering threats and four months for breach of recognizance. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

On May 19, Capot Blanc attacked his girlfriend, whom he had been living with for one month. The court heard he punched her in the head, stomach and arms, kicked her in the head and stomach and held a pair of scissors to her face while threatening to kill her if she tried to escape.

The following day the victim went to Stanton Regional Hospital for medical attention where staff members contacted the police.

The victim had severe bruising and scratches on her face from the scissors.

Crown prosecutor Shannon Smallwood said the victim was "trembling and frightened Mr. Capot Blanc would return to act on his threats."

"She basically was traumatized by the event," said Smallwood.

The victim was hospitalized for her injuries and later transferred to the psychiatric ward because of the emotional effects of the assault.

Defence lawyer Glen Boyd said Capot Blanc had returned to Yellowknife on April 23 to rekindle an old relationship with the victim.

Boyd said Capot Blanc was full of remorse and told him "returning was a mistake. Everything went downhill.

"He realizes the relationship is over. He has no intentions of getting involved with this individual again," said Boyd. Capot Blanc has a lengthy criminal record with several violent acts against women.

Bourassa said a message must be sent to the public that violence against women will not be tolerated.

"It was a brutal beating ... an assertion of power over another person violently. It can't be described as anything else," said Bourassa as Capot Blanc sat in the prisoners box with his head down.

"She clearly believed that he is capable of killing her and was going to kill her ... This kind of conduct has to be condemned," said Bourassa.