Fracas ensues after man’s conviction

Friends and supporters of a Saskatoon man convicted of two sexual assaults causing bodily harm fumed with resentment when they heard a provincial court judge sentence him to nine years in prison for his crimes.

Ian Andrew Gamble, 24, received a sentence of five years, less one year for time spent in remand, for the first sexual assault, and another four years, minus three months for time spent in remand, for the second sexual assault conviction.

In total, Judge Marilyn Gray ordered Gamble spend another seven years, nine months in custody. He’s also required to provide DNA samples, is restricted from owning firearms and restricted weapons and will be on the sex offender registry for 20 years.

After sentencing, Gamble’s family and supporters confronted both the prosecution and defence lawyers.

“We know you’re innocent,” one woman said to Gamble.

Family members criticized the lawyers’ work and one person said the family does not recognize the court.

“The family is very upset,” said defence lawyer Darren Winegarden. “They have a strong opinion that the court has no jurisdiction over them.”

The row turned serious when a large man refused to let Crown prosecutor Michael Segu move toward the exit.

Segu said “excuse me” several times before pushing his way through the crowd.

The unidentified man claimed he was assaulted and about a dozen of Gamble’s supporters gathered at the back of the courtroom, where they argued with deputy sheriffs.

When a deputy sheriff put his hands on the man, family members again claimed assault. Five or six deputy sheriffs had arrived and started removing people from the courtroom.

Outside, the argument continued as Gamble supporters said they did not recognize the court. Eventually, the family left the building.

Gamble was convicted in December for attacking two women 20 days apart in May 2008. The women identified Gamble in photo lineups and in court, and the judge cited numerous similarities connecting the two incidents.

The attacker gave the women a ride home in a small sports car; they described the attacker as a young aboriginal male who said he was involved in the drug trade; he offered to get them cocaine and then ended up waiting in an alley for a drug dealer; when the drugs didn’t arrive, the man offered cash for sexual favours and then attacked the women when they denied the offer.

The attacker also identified himself as “Ian” to both women and he told one of the victims he was the brother of Darren Harper, a name the woman associated with a street gang.

Segu said Gamble received the sentence he deserved.

“Certainly, the sentence is appropriate,” Segu said. “Having heard the victims’ impact statements from these two girls and the sheer physical and psychological terror that they endured at Mr. Gamble’s hand, yeah, I think it’s entirely appropriate that he received a nine-year sentence.”

Winegarden was hoping for the two sentences to be served concurrently.

He said Gamble’s refusal to admit guilt -he maintained his innocence since he was charged in 2008 -might have convinced the judge to hand down a stiffer sentence.

“I think what she looked at was the denial of Mr. Gamble,” Winegarden said.

“His inability to accept responsibility . . . is probably the reason why she gave a stronger sentence than she would have had he took responsibility.”

Winegarden had asked for a sentence of 3 1 /2 to 4 1 /2 years on each conviction to be served concurrently.

Gamble was also sentenced for two breach of condition charges, for which he received 30 days in jail concurrent on each conviction.

As for the confrontation with Gamble’s family, Segu had little to say because the incident might be “subject to further proceedings.”

He said the sheriff’s office has asked him to fill out an incident report. Segu said “it’s up to the police” to decide if charges are laid.

Under the Criminal Code, it’s illegal to threaten or intimidate a court official.

jjwarren@thestarphoenix.com