Judge to rule next week if Leslie Black should be declared a dangerous offender

A Saskatchewan man who sexually assaulted a homeless woman then set her on fire will be back court in one week’s time.

There is no question the attack was brutal but whether Leslie Black should remain behind bars indefinitely is a completely different matter, said his attorney.

READ MORE: Judge reserves dangerous offender decision on Leslie Black in Marlene Bird case

To be deemed a dangerous offender is arguably one of the harshest sentences in this country and is reserved for the worst of the worst.

“The biggest difference between all other dangerous offender hearings in Canada and Leslie Black is that Leslie Black has one very violent offence, there rest of them tend to have many violent offences – often sexual,” said Black’s lawyer Brent Little.

In June 2014, Black sexually assaulted, stomped on and set Marlene Bird on fire then left her to die.

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Her injuries were so severe she would need to have her legs amputated after sustaining burns to 40 per cent of her body.

“I don’t think there is any defence for Mr. Black, his guilty plea is before the court,” Little remarked.

READ MORE: Leslie Black apologizes for brutal attack on Marlene Bird

It’s now a matter of sentencing and whether the judge thinks Black should be sent to prison for an indeterminate sentence.

“The reality of it is – is that an indeterminate dangerous offender designation in spite of what the crown might argue – the vast majority of people who receive that sentence die in jail,” Little added.

Court documents submitted during his hearing, indicate that Black witnessed his mother being stabbed to death by her boyfriend on his ninth birthday.

“He stabbed her a few times, Leslie and Celesta pleaded with him to stop but each time he’d come back into the room with a bigger knife”

“It’s one of those things that God willing hardly anyone has to experience,” said Little.

READ MORE: Court documents reveal lasting agony of assault on Marlene Bird

There is no doubt Black is deeply damaged.

One psychologist who took the stand during the hearing testified that if Black were to re-offend even just once – the harm to that victim could be catastrophic.

“The fact that this individual was able to avoid violence most of his life is as much an indicator that there is something within him to allow him to avoid violence so with programming he should be able to avoid again committing another awful act because he will be a different person.”

Little went on to to say he will argue for Black to be deemed a long-term offender, where Black would serve a lengthy prison term and be released with conditions for up to 10 years with very strict penalties if those conditions are breached.

A decision on this matter will be handed down in Prince Albert on Aug. 30.