Drugs, alcohol and a toxic dating relationship were a bad combination for Armond Yates Standingready, who vented his anger and frustration on an unsuspecting motorist minding his own business.
Standingready was walking north on Main Street on May 16, 2020 while yelling and swearing at passing motorists when he came across a man and his girlfriend, who were sitting in their vehicle near a fast food joint, Crown prosecutor Stephen Yusuff said recently in provincial court. Standingready walked over to the vehicle and began yelling at the man through his window.
“The accused punched (the victim) in the face about three to five times before (the victim) was able to get out of his vehicle to defend himself. Mr. Standingready continued to fight with (the man) despite his attempts to walk away … ,” Yusuff continued.
Standingready continued to attack the man as he walked away. At one point, Standingready pushed the man to the ground, kicked him in the groin and grabbed him around the neck.
Standingready has a criminal record that includes assaults and threats against people, Yusuff added. He was also found guilty the day before he appeared on these charges of threatening someone.
Appearing in Moose Jaw provincial court by video, Standingready pleaded guilty to common assault, breaching a previous court release order, and three charges of failing to come to court.
In turn, he received 60 days in jail for the assault and 12 months of probation afterward. For his other offences, he received 30 days in jail on each of those. Those will run concurrently — at the same time as — with the main sentence.
Standingready, 47, is from Saskatoon and plans to connect with the John Howard Society to find housing, which is something he lacks right now, Legal Aid lawyer Tyne Hagey said. Although he is a tradesman, he is suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. So, his goal is to return to school to acquire a new profession that is less physically demanding.
He was struggling with alcohol issues when this offence occurred, while he was also troubled by a drug addiction and involved in a toxic relationship with a woman who treated him poorly, she continued. On the day of the assault, he had been fighting with his girlfriend, was intoxicated, and upset.
“He understands and recognizes now that relationship wasn’t healthy. They will not be getting back together; they have not been together for some years,” Hagey remarked.
Standingready plans to take treatment for his alcohol and anger issues when he is released, she added. One positive about this situation is that he has not acquired any other violent offences since this incident.
“I’m sorry for much of what I’ve done and the mistakes I’ve made in the last little while,” Standingready said. “I’m not proud of it. While I’ve been in here (remand), I’ve learned a lot. … The experiences I’ve had in here are enough for me.
“I apologize for my actions. If I could take them back, I would.”
While Standingready has a “checkered past,” Judge Daryl Rayner was pleased to hear that he had reflected on his life and actions while in remand. The judge thought moving to Saskatoon would be good for his recovery.
After imposing the 60-day jail sentence, the judge also agreed to waive the victim surcharge penalty.
