BY KEITH LACEY
A woman with a 20-year history of violence associated with drinking was spared a jail sentence Wednesday, but was ordered to not touch booze for the next 18 months or risk going to jail.
Gloria Cox, 37, was convicted earlier this year of a brutal, unprovoked assault against another woman in May 2003.
During the 18-month conditional sentence and an additional 12 months of probation, Cox must accept any counselling as recommended by her probation officer.
She can?t leave her residence between 8 pm and 8 am unless given written permission by her probation officer.
Cox was so intoxicated at the time of the assault she has no memory of what happened.
Court was told this isn?t the first time Cox has become very violent when under the influence of alcohol.
During the attack, Cox had made sexual advances toward the woman and became angry when she was rejected.
After being punched several times, the victim grabbed an unloaded shotgun and told Cox to leave her alone. Cox became even more violent and she continued to beat the woman.
The victim was taken to hospital with serious cuts and bruises to her head.
Court also heard Cox is an intelligent, thoughtful, articulate and fun-loving woman when she?s sober and has been battling her addiction to alcohol her entire adult life.
Justice William Fitzgerald said the circumstances surrounding this case cry out for a jail sentence. However, he imposed a conditional sentence to be served in the community of 18 months, and ordered Cox to abstain from consuming alcohol during that period.
Court also heard Cox had a relapse and was caught intoxicated in March. However, this is the only time she?s fallen off the wagon since being granted bail 14 months ago, said defence counsel Alex Toffoli.
Assistant Crown attorney Julie Lefebvre said she recognizes Cox has been trying to get counselling and stay away from alcohol. The Crown would only agree to a conditional sentence if the court imposed a condition she not consume alcohol.
Cox told the judge she has been trying to get counselling. She wants to beat her addiction and deal with anger management issues.
Fitzgerald said his biggest concern is the protection of society, but he is willing to allow the system to assist Cox in her struggle to rehabilitate herself.
Cox is also banned from owning or possessing any prohibited weapon or firearm for the rest of her life.
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)