A Sudbury teenager who stabbed his motherÂ?s boyfriend in the chest will have plenty of time to seek counseling for anger management and his alcohol abuse problems.
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Noah Coutts, 19, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of aggravated assault in relation to an incident last Aug. 14 in his motherÂ?s apartment.
Despite his young age, Coutts has spent most of the past year behind bars because he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine months in jail last October for a break, enter and theft earlier in 2002.
After finishing that sentence, Coutts has spent almost two months in pre-trial custody on the aggravated assault charge.
Justice Louise Gauthier agreed to add another 61/2 months for the knifing incident, and recommended Coutts serve his sentence at the Ontario Correctional Institute in Brampton, which is renowned for its substance abuse and anger management counselling.
Gauthier told Coutts he was extremely lucky to still have the support of his mother and her boyfriend, who were both in court for MondayÂ?s sentencing hearing.
Â?Normally, an incident of this nature would result in a longer sentence,Â? said the experienced Ontario Superior Court of Justice judge. Â?You are only 19...you still have a chance to get on the right path.Â?
Although the stab wound did not result in life-threatening injuries and the victim was released soon after being rushed to hospital, it was only through good fortune things turned out as they did, said Gauthier.
Besides the long jail sentence, Gauthier placed Coutts on probation for two years. He ordered him to take any counselling or therapy as recommended by his probation officer.
Coutts was also ordered to submit a DNA sample for a national crime data bank, and he is banned for the remainder of his life from owning or possessing any knife or prohibited weapon.
Before sentence was imposed, Coutts told the court he was very sorry for his actions. He wants to
access treatment to try and turn his life around.
Court heard the incident last summer was initiated when the boyfriend of CouttsÂ? mother caught the accused inside her car, which was off limits to Coutts at the time.
Coutts and the man went upstairs to an apartment and an argument erupted over turning over keys to the car.
A scuffle broke out and the victim noticed Coutts was carrying a knife.
When the man threatened to call police, Coutts challenged him to a fight outside and the man said he would go outside as long as Coutts put his knife down.
Another scuffle ensued and Coutts lashed out with the knife and stabbed his motherÂ?s boyfriend once in the chest.
The mother jumped up, couldnÂ?t believe what was happening and called emergency services, said
assistant Crown attorney Len Walker.
The victim was rushed to hospital and released after being stitched up, said Walker.
Defence counsel Laura Laporte said Coutts grew up in a family where alcohol abuse was not uncommon, and he has developed a serious alcohol abuse problem despite his age.
Â?Noah has a problem with alcohol,Â? she said. Â?But he is very remorseful for his behaviour.Â?
While in custody, Coutts has sought out and participated in programs for anger management and
substance abuse.
Walker said the aggravating factors in this case speak for themselves, but the court has to consider Coutts is only 19 and has a long life ahead of him.
Â?HeÂ?s only 19 years old and I hope he gets his life in order...because this is his last crack at a rehabilitative sentence,Â? he said.
Before Coutts was led away in handcuffs, Gauthier wished him good luck and Coutts thanked the
court.
