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Breadcrumb Trail Links Columnists Richard Bradley Stevens leaves the Edmonton courthouse with his lawyer on Monday Oct. 17, 2022. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia Article content
The 14-month sentence handed an Edmonton man for a racially-motivated attack on two Somali women will hopefully act as a deterrent to other like-minded individuals.
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But the sad reality is such bigotry is far too common in our province and locking up one racist for more than a year likely wont put an end to hatred-based crimes.
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Provincial court Judge Ferne LeReverand, in a written decision posted online, rejected suggestions mental health was behind Richard Bradley Stevens racist attack in a mall parking lot on Dec. 8, 2020.
And in jumping the Crowns proposed sentence of up to 10 months jail, LeReverand hopefully sent out a message that will at least curtail such disturbing behaviour.
Stevens approached his victims, a Muslim woman and her adult daughter, who were both wearing hijabs and hurled profane and racist comments at them while they were in a parked car, using the N-word and telling them to go back to their country, the judge noted.
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He then punched the passenger side window of the car, causing it to break, before leaving the area.
But when the mother got out, Stevens returned to the location.
He grabbed onto her, pulled off her head covering, pushed her to the ground, and punched her in the head, causing her to briefly lose consciousness, the judge said.
When the daughter moved towards her mother to assist her, Stevens, now 43, chased her away.
To further illustrate his bigotry, Stevens, who injured his hand when he punched the window and was later taken to hospital, hurled racial slurs at a police constable of East Indian descent, said the judge.
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LeReverand said the attack has had a profound impact on both the victims and their community.
The assault itself left (the mother) and every other member of her community with psychological wounds she believes may never heal. She wrote bonds of community and trust have been broken. When my hijab was ripped off my head, I instantly felt naked and powerless. My hijab is my shield, the cornerstone of my identity.’
The daughters victim impact statement was equally compelling.
It is not possible to describe the full impact of this crime on my present and future. It has deeply colored every single aspect of my life in profound ways that cannot be measured. There are psychological and physical scars that will mark me for the rest of my life, she wrote.
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As LeReverand poignantly pointed out these types of attacks on visible minorities have become too commonplace in our nation; one which is supposed to be built on multiculturalism and tolerance.
Mr. Stevens offenses do not exist in a vacuum. There is a trend of violence against visible minorities all over Canada, and especially against Muslims. According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, hate crimes against Muslims increased by 71%, she wrote.
Freedom to express ones religion without fear is a fundamental principle of our democratic society.
LeReverand had little difficulty finding Stevens conduct was the result of intolerance and bigotry.
I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the assault on the Somali women was motivated by hate. Hate for their culture, religion and gender, she wrote.
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A country as diverse as Canada cannot countenance even baby steps down the slippery slope of racially motivated crimes, because we are so diverse.
The judge found lesser sentences in the past for similar crimes havent had the desired effect of deterring such behavior and a harsher punishment was needed.
She handed Stevens 12 months for assaulting the mother and an additional two months for mischief for breaking the window.
Lets just hope others of Stevens ilk become aware of the award and such conduct in the future draws similar, or even harsher, responses from Albertas judicial system.
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