EDMONTON – A judge has sentenced former Edmonton Eskimo Adam Braidwood to four-and-a-half years behind bars after Braidwood pleaded guilty to sexual assault.
Braidwood has also received six months for careless storage of a firearm.
The sentence will be served concurrently.
In early December 2010, Braidwood was arrested after a disturbance in Edmonton. He faced nearly a dozen charges. Friday, he pleaded guilty to sexual assault and careless storage of a firearm.
Court heard that Braidwood and his girlfriend at the time were involved in a dispute, which escalated.
“Do you know who I am?” court heard he said. “I will kill you!”
A firearm was produced during the argument.
“Have you ever played chicken before?” court heard Braidwood asked. He then loaded the gun with one bullet. Braidwood shot at his foot. The gun didn’t fire, so he put the gun in his mouth.
Court heard Braidwood began to choke his girlfriend, and then sexually assaulted her.
The defence indicated Braidwood had consumed a large amount of Valium, and that he was addicted to painkillers after suffering a knee injury.
The defence said Braidwood takes full responsibility for his actions.
The victim was not in court, however her victim impact statement was submitted.
Both the crown and the defence suggested a four-and-a-half year prison term for the offences, which the judge accepted Friday afternoon.
During the proceedings, Braidwood kept his head low and declined to speak when asked.
However, an apology letter was submitted to the court in which Braidwood expressed remorse and apologized to the victim. Braidwood also apologized to the community and the Eskimos organization.
Braidwood was a defensive lineman for the Eskimos before being released by the organization in the spring of 2011.
He was a player in the Canadian Football League from 2006 to 2010.