After 25 years of marriage, Stephen John Summers and his wife began having problems, which led to him harassing her for nine months as he sought to repair the relationship.
Reconciliation was impossible, however, and Summers’ wife called the police several times to report that her husband was bothering her regularly.
In Moose Jaw provincial court on May 13, Summers, 58, pleaded guilty to harassment and received a suspended sentence. As part of a joint submission, he receives 12 months of probation, must keep the peace and be of good behaviour, report to a probation officer, have no contact with his ex-wife, not possess any type of weapon for a year, and make a donation of $500 to a community charity.
The Crown stayed charges of assault with a weapon and obstructing a peace officer.
Summers — who has no previous criminal record — harassed his wife from Jan. 1, 2018 to Sept. 8, 2018, as this was when they were going through a marital breakup, explained Crown prosecutor Robbie Parker.
Summers’ wife visited the police station on Sept. 8, where she told officers they had been separated for nearly a year and were finalizing the divorce, Parker continued. She told police that on that day, she was closing up her work when she saw her ex-husband sitting outside on his motorcycle.
Mrs. Summers jumped into her car and began driving to Regina for a trip. She noticed that her ex-husband still following her, so she called her friend, who encouraged her to turn around and go back to Moose Jaw. Mr. Summers continued to follow her, but she managed to lose him on the way.
“She then learned from her daughter that Mr. Summers called her asking if they were getting a divorce,” Parker said, “(and) wanting to know if the complainant was seeing anyone else.”
Mrs. Summers told police that her ex-husband followed her frequently and showed up at her workplace unannounced or called her. Parker pointed out an incident on Jan. 2, 2018 led to a peace bond being placed on Summers. However, there was no one particular episode that led to the charge of harassment; it was cumulative.
Parker added the couple officially divorced on Feb. 15, 2019.
Summers and his family immigrated to Canada 13 years ago from Wales, said defence lawyer Nic Robinson. One reason Summers attempted to contact his wife so often is he wanted to figure out if she wanted a divorce.
Since the divorce, Summers has not been able to see all of his grandchildren.
“He respects the law and is a productive citizen,” said Robinson.
Summers travels to the United States for work, so his sentence could have a negative effect on his life, continued Robinson. While Summers is of upstanding character, he was going through a rough patch due to his marriage falling apart.
“The incident is an aberration and, frankly, it’s behind him. He’s come to terms with things,” his lawyer added.
“This is an aberration. I am confident it is,” said Judge Daryl Rayner. “The way this unfolded, it is tragic.”
While Rayner sympathized with Summers over his divorce and the fact he can’t see all his grandchildren, he also pointed out the man’s actions were inappropriate. To follow his ex-wife around and bother her is a crime since she had the right to be free from such behaviour.
Rayner accepted the joint recommendation from the Crown and defence, giving Summers until Sept. 30 to make his donation.
