Another example of the horrors of drug addiction: judge

KELOWNA – An admitted drug addict who brutally attacked another admitted drug addict pled guilty to aggravated assault and has been sentenced to two years in prison.

James Andrew Miklik, 37, punched Margitt Laverentz 4 times after he felt she had “shorted” him on a drug deal and wasn’t happy with her response to his accusation, according to Kelowna Judge Allan Betton’s reasons for the sentence.

“This case is yet another example of the horrors of drug addiction; the conduct of persons connected with transactions involving drugs, whether it be on the purchasing or selling end of things; and the use of drugs,” Betton said.

The assault happened in the accused’s Kelowna home on June 16, 2013.

Laverentz was hospitalized for three months as a result. For two of those months she was in a coma.

Bones in her face were broken, ribs were broken, she lost the sight in one eye, her spleen was surgically removed and she suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Along with the physical injuries there’s the significant emotional damage Laverentz suffered, according to her victim impact statement.

Miklik broke a bone in his hand, a so-called “boxer’s fracture.”

In addition to the year and days already served since his arrest he will serve two more years in prison. The sentence also includes two years of probation.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.