CHILLIWACK TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER20, 20,2012 2012 A5 A5 CHILLIWACK TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER
News
‘Terrorizing’ home invasion nets man two years in jail BY TYLER OLSEN tolsen@chilliwacktimes.com
A
Chilliwack man involved in a “terrorizing” home invasion earlier in April will serve two years less a day in provincial jail. David Lee Ganaway had earlier pleaded guilty to one charge of break and enter to commit an offence and one count of disguising the face with intent to commit an offence. While charges of robbery, assault causing bodily harm and unlawful confinement were stayed, judge Russ MacKay said the serious nature of the home invasion required a considerable jail sentence. “There is no question here that jail is required,” MacKay said. “The severity of the offence cries out for it.” On April 16, men broke into an East Chilliwack home, beat a 45-year-old man severely enough to send him to hospital, and made off with jewelry and cash, according to police at the time. Mounties said that while the home appeared to have been targeted, its occupants were not associated with any drug activity. MacKay said the men “invaded the sanctity of a private home” and “horribly violated” the occupants expectation of living in a safe and secure home. “Violence was applied physically and psychologically and terrorism [was] inflicted on these people,” MacKay said, citing victim impact statements submitted to the court by the home’s occupants.
MacKay also cited the use of weapons in the home invasion as an aggravating factor. However, MacKay also noted that Ganaway’s role in the home invasion was less serious than his alleged accomplices. And he praised Ganaway for his efforts to reform himself and for co-operating with police. Two other men have since been arrested and are awaiting trial. At sentencing, MacKay heard that Ganaway’s assistance had helped police arrest and charge the two other men. “It . . . displays in my view, some courage on the part of Mr. Ganaway.” Both Crown counsel and the defence asked for jail sentences around two years and probation. Crown counsel Lori Stevens and defence lawyer Daniel Henderson only differed on whether the sentence should be served federally—as is the case for all sentences over two years—or provincially. Stevens said federal institutions offered better rehabilitation programs, but Henderson said the harder criminals that fill the federal system would outweigh any benefits. MacKay agreed with the defence that provincial time would give Ganaway the best chance to reform. He said cutbacks seem to have significantly diminished the superiority of federal prison programs over their provincial counterparts. Ganaway had previously apologized in court to the victims of the home invasion, and as he was led away he again looked to the gallery and again said he was sorry for his involvement.
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