Man who violently assaulted wife gets stronger punishment after sentence appealed

WARNING: This story contains graphic descriptions of intimate-partner violence.

A man from Gatineau, Que., who pleaded guilty to strangling, assaulting and threatening his wife has now been ordered to servefourmonths of house arrest after Quebec's Superior Court ruled a conditional discharge last summer wasn't punishment enough.

Last year, Joshua Schoo admitted to beingviolent during a dispute in March 2021 with his then-wife of 17 years, the mother of theirfour children. He pleaded guilty tothree charges: strangling during the commission of an assault, uttering a threat to cause her death or bodily harm, and assault causing bodily harm.

Their children witnessedthe assault, and one of them called police to say Schoo was hitting their mother and was intoxicated.

In July, Court of Qubec JusticeSerge Laurin granted Schoo aconditional discharge with conditions.

Laurin wrote in his decision that the altercation was anisolated event in the marriageand Schoo didn't have a criminal record,which the judge called mitigating factors. He alsonoted Schoo hadbegun therapy, stopped consuming alcohol and sincerely expressed remorse.

The Crown hadasked for a six-month jail sentence and probation, but Laurinwrote that would jeopardize hismaintenance job with the City of Ottawa and prevent him from traveling abroad with his children.

Instead, Laurin ordered a conditional discharge, three years of probation, and banned Schoofromcontacting or approaching his former partner. Schoowas orderedto complete 250 hours of community serviceand donate $5,000 to a community organization focused on counselling for men.

Laurin's decision wasstrongly denounced by various organizations helping women victims of domestic violence.

In August following media coverage, the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutionschose to appeal Laurin'sdecision seeking stronger punishment, arguing among other things that it did not fit the crime.

4 months of house arrest ordered

On Wednesday, more than seven months after the appeal was filed, Superior Court of Quebec JusticeJames L. Bruntonstruck downLaurin's sentencing decision and replaced it with four months of conditional imprisonment, a 28-month probation order and DNA submission order.

Schoomuststay at his home 24/7from March 20 to June 20. He must thenrespect a curfewfrom June 21 to July 20. Exceptions includeSchoobeing allowed to attend religious services and a medical appointment.

Among other conditions, Schooisprohibited from communicating with the victim, including on social media, and not gowithin 200 metres of her residence. He also can'tconsume alcohol or recreational drugs.

Schoo is also barred from possessing any kind of firearm or weapon for 10 years, and possessing any restricted or prohibitedfirearms and weapons for life, Brunton ruled.

Suffocated her with pillow, hand

At the time of the events, Schoohad just returned to the family home after an extramarital relationship of several months. He had also encouraged his spouse to have such a relationship, but when Schoo's wife told him she had met another man, hetook it badly, according to thedecision.

Schoo, who had started drinking earlier in the day, broke down the bedroom door where his ex-wife had taken refuge, suffocated her with a pillow and placed his handson her face near her neck. One of their children called police and led officers to the bedroom, where the attack was still taking place.

It left the woman with extensive bruisingon her upper arms and torso, and discolouration onher neck.

In her victim impact statement, the woman toldcourt she has recurrent flashbacks and distressing dreams of the eventand worries about her children.

"I fear for my children's emotional security the most. After witnessing those traumatic things, I question how the outcome will affect their own choices, relationships and responses," her statement to court said.

"Our children look to us as parents for safety and love and security and he failed them."

Support is available for anyone affected by intimate partner violence. You can access support services and local resources in Canada byvisiting this website.

If your situation is urgent, please contact emergency services in your area.