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The 4-1/2-year jail sentence handed right down to a Calgary man Tuesday for impaired driving inflicting loss of life is not sufficient to discourage different drunks from getting behind the wheel, the sufferer’s household stated .
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Widow Susan White and sufferer Kelly Ross’ daughter, Ashley, each stated they want to see a a lot harsher sentence handed right down to Wenieke Thijs within the loss of life on September 23, 2019.
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“Our justice system is damaged and has failed us and 4-1/2 years is a slap within the face,” Ashley Ross stated shortly after Justice Barbara Johnston Thijs was sentenced in Calgary Court docket of King’s Bench.
“I believe that folks will proceed to drink and drive till there are more durable penalties for individuals who do this kind of crime and till that adjustments I believe that extra folks will proceed to die.”
Each ladies famous that Thijs will serve solely a fraction of his sentence behind bars whereas they’ve needed to wait greater than 3 1/2 years for justice of their beloved one’s loss of life.
“He can go dwelling after his sentence and be together with his household and assist them and my dad is rarely coming dwelling due to this man,” Ashley Ross stated.
White, who watched in horror as Thijs turned left into the trail of Ross’ bike as she adopted him in her van, stated the household had suffered unimaginable ache over their loss.
“It took us three years, six months and 26 days since Kelly died to get to this present day and he’ll serve much less time than it took us to get right here,” she stated.
“I simply assume it might need been an excellent likelihood to set a brand new precedent. To make an actual assertion about how critical this drawback is.”
Johnston accepted a joint submission from Crown prosecutor Melissa Kostiuk and protection legal professional Alain Hepner to present Thijs a 4-1/2-year sentence.
