By Quinn Campbell - Global Lethbridge

Victim impact statements read at Denzel Bird sentencing hearing

Apr 4, 2018 | 5:32 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB — The sentencing hearing for a man who pleaded guilty to attacking and sexually assaulting a 25-year-old woman in 2016 got underway in Lethbridge on Wednesday.

Denzel Bird sat quietly, looking down at the floor, as emotional victim impact statements were read out during his hearing.

The victim -who can’t be identified- and her family took part in the hearing through closed circuit television from a separate room in the court house, as they did not want to face her 21-year-old attacker.  

He pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault after he brutally attacked the 25 year old woman with a metal pipe, dragged her into an alley, sexually assaulted her and left her body in a garbage can in September of 2016. 

A family member read out the young woman’s victim impact statement on her behalf. 

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In it, she said she spent four months in the hospital, part of that in a medically induced coma. She lost 90 lbs, and has had to relearn how to walk and talk. 
 

She had bones in her face broken, her teeth chipped and knocked out,  a brain bleed and several bruises. 

“Now I have scars that remind me of how strong I have become,” the statement read.

The victim said she has struggled with balance and coordination, has lost her sense of smell and memories from her life have vanished. She called herself a survivor and added “He hasn’t taken away my will to live. He hasn’t broken my spirit “

Several other family members also read statements describing how the attack has changed all of their lives and has stolen the young woman and her husbands future. 

Her father in law described the severity of the incident by saying: 

“It’s a life sentence, there is no going back, there is no forgiving this,” said the victim’s father.

The defence is asking for a sentence of 6 to 8 years behind bars. The crown is asking for a 20-year prison sentence.

The maximum sentence for aggravated sexual assault is life in prison.

The judge has not yet handed down a sentence.