domestic violence

RCMP say sex offender lied in police statement

PENTICTON — The RCMP officer who interrogated David Wesley Bobbitt after his arrest in 2007 said Bobbitt’s story was full of holes and accused him of not telling the truth in his statement. The video statement was played in Penticton Supreme Court today as part of Const. Mike Desmond’s testimony. He was the officer who...

BOBBITT HEARING: Witness told to calm down during testimony

PENTICTON - Justice Peter Rogers had to intervene between defence counsel and a witness who became increasingly defensive answering questions in a dangerous offender and sentencing hearing in Penticton Supreme Court. Earlier this week, a witness in the hearing for David Bobbitt said she is the victim of a sexual assault incident that took place...

Kelowna gets new domestic violence unit

KELOWNA – Victims of domestic abuse have a new resource in Kelowna. The creation of a new Domestic Violence Unit, a first for the Okanagan, was announced by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton. “The team will provide an urgent, coordinated response to protect families in this community who are at risk or...

Judge says domestic abuser fighting ‘losing battle’

PENTICTON — A provincial court judge says there’s no hope ordering mandatory counselling for a serial domestic offender since he's been doing it for 15 years. Neil Allison Ryerson, born in 1968, was sentenced today in Penticton Provincial Court to six months in jail for beating up his now ex-girlfriend. Ryerson has an extensive criminal...

Professor calls for changes to stop domestic violence

"YOU COULD CREATE THE DEATH PENALTY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PEOPLE WOULD STILL DO IT." THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A Thompson Rivers University professor is calling on the province to make immediate changes to protect women and families under threat of domestic violence. Micah Rankin, a lawyer and criminal law professor at TRU’s law school says the...