A Comox man who broke into his ex-partner’s home, threatened to kill her and brutally slashed her with a boxcutter has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
In August, following a six-day trial, Clinton George Armstrong was acquitted of attempting to murder his former spouse, Taura Leith, on Feb. 10, 2020. He was, however, convicted of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, uttering threats, break-and-enter, mischief and failing to comply with court-ordered conditions.
“Mr. Armstrong’s personal circumstances in the weeks leading up to the events of Feb. 10th were obviously very difficult,” B.C. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Saunders wrote in his sentencing reasons.
“But he alone is responsible for having decided to channel his bitterness and rage into a vicious and potentially deadly attack on his defenceless former spouse.”
Saunders sentenced Armstrong to eight years for the break-and-enter and the “wanton destruction” of Leith’s home and property, and seven years for the aggravated assault against Leith. The sentences are to be served concurrently. With credit for time served, Armstrong has to serve another five years and 128 days in prison.
Court heard that Armstrong and Leith were living in her home in Comox. They agreed to separate and decided Armstrong would move out on Jan. 1, 2020. On the evening of Dec. 28, Armstrong had been drinking. They argued. Leith said she would go and stay with her father but Armstrong threatened to trash her home if she left. When Leith called police, Armstrong slapped her across the face. He was arrested and released on conditions to have no contact with Leith and to stay away from her home.
Armstrong was homeless for several weeks. He was assaulted and ended up in intensive care. An addiction medicine specialist diagnosed him with severe opiate use disorder and possible alcohol use disorder.
Leith remained shaken by the assault. On Feb. 6, she gave the Crown a victim impact statement, describing how she was unable to sleep and worried about Armstrong showing up at her home.
Her fears were justified.
Four days later, Armstrong smashed his way into her home and viciously attacked her with a boxcutter. Leith called 911. Although she dropped the handset, the call continued to record, capturing her terrified screams and cries for help.
Armstrong slashed her face, head and torso repeatedly. A forensic nurse documented a deep, 16-centimetre gash from her temple through her left cheek, an 11-centimetre wound below her right earlobe to her right jaw and a five-centimetre wound along her right cheek. Armstrong slashed her chest and her abdomen, her back and her right shoulder blade. She had more than 24 injuries to her face, head and torso, defensive wounds to her arms and a cut on her thumb that required five stitches.
Armstrong was repeatedly heard saying he was going to kill her, then himself. “You’re going die like I’m gonna die.”
Leith tried to escape but he caught her. She ran again and escaped to a nearby home. Police arrived and tasered Armstrong, who was using a large kitchen knife to make deep cuts on his forearms. He had trashed Leith’s home and scraped her car. Everything was covered in blood, Saunders said, citing evidence given in court. Damage was estimated at $32,000.
Leith was treated in hospital for her wounds and a concussion. She still fears for her safety, court heard.
A pre-sentence report revealed that Armstrong, 50, has a Grade 9 education and has been steadily employed in logging, construction and tugboat operations. He was in a relationship with Leith for 13 years without any physical violence but he has been involved in the criminal justice system.
In January 2005, Armstrong was placed on a restraining order obtained by the mother of his two sons. That same month, he assaulted a woman he was in a relationship with. He pleaded guilty in March 2005 and received a suspended sentence.
A risk assessment concluded that Armstrong is at high risk for violence.
“His intimate partner violence risk in general would be especially high when … his romantic intimate partner decides to end the relationship. … Control in intimate relationships is a significant area of problem for this man,” said forensic psychologist Dr. Anthony Dugbartey.
ldickson@timescolonist.com
