Estevan man Lonny Anton pleaded guilty to common assault, and was given a 12-month suspended sentence, a statutory probation period and a $100 victim surcharge fine.
Anton appeared in Estevan provincial court on July 14, where he pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife earlier this year during the later hours of the evening on May 19. The Crown said that upon returning home from a night out drinking with friends, he began arguing with his wife who was waiting for him at home. Anton left the house, but then returned, kicked down two doors of the residence, and began yelling at his wife. He proceeded to physically assault her by grabbing her throat and hair, and then pushed her into the wall, and struck her in the face. The Crown also stated it took two other people to get Anton off his wife, who is half his weight.
The RCMP arrived shortly after, charged him with assault, and took him into custody. He was released the following day with the promise to appear in court.
The Crown brought up the fact that the accused has a prior record involving assault, which was from 1998.
Anton said he didn't strike his wife, and was defending himself from her after she hit him across the eye.
Judge Lane Weiger initially refused to accept Anton's guilty plea because of the inconsistencies with the Crown's allegations and Anton's story, but following a short break, Anton admitted to holding his wife down by the hair and the throat, which, according to the defense, ultimately amounted to an assault.
"I want to get this over with, and move on with my life," said Anton. Weiger accepted his guilty plea shortly after.
The Crown proposed a submission requiring Anton to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, appear in court when called upon, notify the court upon a change of address, report to a probation officer, live in an approved residence, and not drink alcohol or consume drugs, suggesting alcohol was a driving force in the domestic incident. A six-month no contact-clause with his wife was also recommended by the Crown, but said it could be lifted if she was willing.
Anton's wife, who was in attendance, said she "loved him and just wanted him to come home," adding the incident shouldn't have taken place that night, but that things can't be changed. She also said after being together for over 20 years, she still felt safe with him, and doesn't feel threatened by his presence.
The defense said that there was a massive gap in Anton's criminal record, and suggested this was a single case of a domestic dispute.
Weiger then issued the 12-month suspended sentence and statutory probation period, and noted the fact that alcohol seemed to play a role in the incident, and therefore asked Anton to report to his probation officer regularly, who could suggest any number of counseling programs, which Anton will have to complete if the probation officer deems it necessary.
In another court case, Justin Garrow had a show-cause hearing for a number of charges he obtained in late June. A publication ban was placed on his proceedings. He was remanded in custody until July 18. He was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, and theft.
Nathan Mullen appeared in Estevan provincial court via closed-circuit television on July 10, and was remanded in custody until July. 21. Mullen is charged with second-degree murder, following the death of Leslie Erin Dwyre, who was found dead in her Petterson Drive home April 21.
