Judge jails woman who chose nose-biting over hug to resolve party spat

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — A woman who bit the tip off another woman’s nose during a fight at a house party in northern Saskatchewan has been sentenced to one year in jail.

Joan McKenzie, who is 40, was sentenced Wednesday in Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench following her conviction in March on a charge of aggravated assault.

McKenzie’s trial heard that the assault happened in Stanley Mission in September 2017.

The Crown had been seeking a sentence of 18 to 24 months plus two years probation.

The defence had asked for six months in jail and three years of probation.

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Both prosecutor Aaron Martens and defence lawyer Crystal Eninew say they believe the sentence is fair.

Kendra Wesley, the woman who was bitten, was on hand for the sentencing and said outside court that McKenzie wanted to apologize after a short physical confrontation, but then lunged at her face moments later.

“She wanted to hug it out and that’s what I assumed she wanted to do, but she had other intentions,” said Wesley, who is scheduled for a third and final operation this month to repair damage to her nose. She is also pursuing a degree in business administration.

“It was like counselling for me to go to school and just not hide in my room all the time. I’ve come a long way from where I was two years ago.”

McKenzie, who sobbed in the prisoner’s box during her sentencing, will be on probation for two years upon release and must abide by a number of conditions, including a curfew.

The trial judge noted that while the woman had a history of violence, she had not committed any criminal acts for 17 years and had sent a letter of apology to the victim. The judge also acknowledged her educational achievements, including a Bachelor of Education degree.

Martens said he does not expect file an appeal.

“Nothing that happens in court is going to make the victim any better or any worse, but we do have to send a message that even drunken brawls can degenerate into biting people,” he said. (CKBI)

The Canadian Press