Justin Primmer, newly named dangerous offender, to be imprisoned indefinitely

A man with a history of violent crime, including assaulting a woman who fell from a 7th floor balcony, has been named a dangerous offender.

During his hearing in a London courtroom Monday, Judge Alissa Mitchell said former mixed martial arts fighter Justin Primmer is at high risk of re-offending, is persistently aggressive, and has a pattern of repetitive behaviour. She also handed him an indefinite amount of time behind bars.

“It doesn’t bring my daughter back,” said Susan Gerth.

READ MORE: Dangerous offender hearing scheduled in London for Justin Primmer

Gerth’s daughter, Desiree Gallagher, suffered serious injuries after falling from the balcony of Primmer’s apartment in 2013. She was left blind and in a wheelchair until she died, two years later.

“It doesn’t take away what we’ve been through, and what we have to go through still.”

But it does offer some comfort.

“I’m thankful that he’ll never be able to hurt another person again… and that he will never be able to put another family through what he’s put our family — and the other victim’s families — through.”

Tears and sighs of relief could be heard inside the courtroom as Mitchell handed down her decision. Thirty-two-year-old Primmer’s face remained expressionless, as she detailed his lengthy criminal record, with his first conviction at 12-years-old.

READ MORE: Dangerous offender hearing delayed for man guilty of brutally beating woman in Sask.

Between 1997 and 2002, Primmer was found guilty of 20 crimes. And as he became older, Mitchell said the offenses became more violent and domestic in nature.

Primmer was convicted of manslaughter after fatally stabbing a Stratford man in 2004, and was also convicted of assaulting an inmate in 2014.

In hopes of protecting the community, the Crown argued dangerous offender status was necessary because of Primmer’s repetitive behaviour and the likelihood he’d harm someone else.

The defense asked for a six to eight year sentence with a long-term offender status, and that if Primmer be named a dangerous offender, that the classification be definite rather than indefinite.

The “dangerous offender” designation is reserved for Canada’s most violent criminals.

“It feels like a battle’s finally won,” said Duncan Gallagher, a brother to Desiree. “It feels like I can relax for awhile now, knowing he’s going to be put away at least a significant amount of time… we can start focusing on normal life again.”