A one-night tryst led to an assault that put a Penticton man in hospital for two days, a judge heard Monday at the attacker’s sentencing hearing.
Elkena Michael Knauff, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing bodily harm and was handed a four-month conditional sentence.
Court heard that just after midnight on Oct. 26, 2013, Brayden McFadden was walking from the casino to the Mule nightclub in downtown Penticton when he was accosted by Knauff.
The victim told police he was punched in the face five times, then fell to the ground and woke up at Penticton Regional Hospital.
Crown counsel Sarah Firestone said McFadden suffered “significant” facial injuries, including a broken nose and fractured jaw, plus spent two days in hospital and lost a “significant” amount of weight because he had difficulty eating during his recuperation.
Court heard Knauff’s girlfriend at the time cheated on him with McFadden, which prompted the attack.
Judge Greg Koturbash described the assault as one motivated by “jealous rage,” which he said didn’t excuse it.
“Unfaithfulness by one partner is not an uncommon part of life,” said Koturbash.
The judge agreed to a joint submission from Crown and defence for the conditional sentence, the first month of which will include a 24-hour house arrest, except for work or personal errands, then three months with an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. That will be followed by 16 months’ probation, conditions of which prohibit contact with McFadden and his ex-girlfriend.
Knauff apologized to the court for his actions.
“I made mistakes and I’m here to deal with them,” he said.
