KELOWNA — David Bobbitt is going to prison for the crimes he’s committed. The question is: for how long?
The Penticton man, in his mid-40’s, has pleaded guilty in connection with a brutal sexual assault in Penticton in July 2011.
Bobbitt attacked a 22 year old woman inside a second hand store he owned. The woman’s son was in the store at the time.
In building a case that Bobbitt be declared a dangerous offender, the Crown brought up allegations made against him by another woman in 2007.
She told police Bobbitt raped her and tried to strangle her before she managed to escape and call for help.
The defence lawyer attacked the woman’s credibility, noting she had filed previous complaints with the police that went nowhere.
Bobbitt denied the accusation and no charges were laid in relation to that alleged incident and yet the prosecutor states: “Mr. Bobbitt is guilty of these offences beyond a reasonable doubt.”
But defence lawyer, James Pennington, says the Crown’s case is “Not very strong. “It would be most dangerous to convict because the Crown’s case has not been proven beyond a reasonable Doubt.”
If Bobbitt is declared a dangerous offender he will be jailed indefinitely.
The Crown argues if Bobbitt isn’t declared a dangerous offender, he should be sentenced as a long-term offender.
That means he would serve a minimum of two years imprisonment and be subject to up to 10 years of supervision upon release.
The sentencing hearing continues Thursday.
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