The wheelchair-bound former gang member who kidnapped a Penticton man over a drug debt will spend the next four years in federal prison.
Scott Andrew McArthur, 27, was sentenced 1,547 days (approximately four years and three months) behind bars for his role in the kidnapping of Brett Riopel and using an imitation firearm.
Judge Gregory Koturbash provided some leniency giving McArthur 265 days of enhanced credit, due to medical circumstances that were not addressed properly while he was in custody. However, Koturbash did not overlook McArthur’s apparent recidivism and lack of wanting to change his lifestyle.
“In the case of Mr. McArthur he has 46 prior criminal convictions. His convictions include theft, robbery and assault. His first conviction was March 28, 2008, that is roughly one conviction every two months of his adult life,” said Koturbash during the sentencing at Penticton provincial courthouse on Monday. “His criminal record demonstrates to me he is committed to a criminal way of life and a lack of respect of rights for others.”
In 2014, McArthur had both his legs amputated in surgery, after a brutal stabbing for refusing a gang order to take drugs into a prison. (Read more on this HERE).
While just 18 days into a nine-month house arrest for a theft in October 2015, McArthur had given Riopel $200 worth of methamphetamine to sell. The next day, he sent Riopel threatening text messages relating to the drug debt owed.
According to information heard in court, in the early hours of Oct. 17, 2015, McArthur produced an imitation firearm and threatened to shoot Riopel and his dog. He then escorted them into a vehicle and co-accused Angel Dyck hopped into the driver’s seat.
The imitation firearm was pointed at Riopel while they drove him around to various acquaintances houses as he tried to shore up the money owed for the drugs. At some point during the 25-30 minutes Riopel was kidnapped, his life was threatened and he was pistol-whipped by McArthur.
Judge Koturbash said he had a great deal of compassion for McArthur’s situation initially and believed when he stated he wanted to turn his life around when he had put him on house arrest prior to the kidnapping. Koturbash said the crimes committed while on house arrest show that McArthur was not sincere.
As part of of his sentence, McArthur will have to pay $400 in victim surcharges and will have a lifetime weapons prohibition.
Dyck had also entered guilty pleas and was scheduled to be sentenced on Monday. Instead, she told the court she wished to expunge her pleas and look for different defence counsel. Dyck is scheduled to return to court, via video, on Wednesday.
