A 21-year-old Calgary man with what the Crown calls a “horrific document for violence” was sentenced for his half in a brutal assault on a Calgary Transit operator, who was greater than 3 times his age.
Amarjit Grewal was 66 years previous on the time of the assault in Might 2025.
Brothers Curtis Baker-Spence and Darryl Flett have been 20 and 22, respectively, on the time of the assault.
Crown prosecutor Greg Piper described the inequality of the assault, pointing to the very fact Baker-Spence and Flett have been youthful and each armed, whereas Grewal was a senior citizen, working alone and unarmed.
Piper mentioned this case demonstrates the hazard confronted by transit operators.
“ Town of Calgary runs on transit,” Piper instructed courtroom. “ If Calgary have been a physique, transit could be the circulatory system.”
Amalgamated Transit Union Native 538 held a rally at metropolis corridor forward of the sentencing, exhibiting help for Grewal and highlighting the true dangers confronted by transit operators throughout the nation.
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“The Felony Code states that there’s an aggravating issue, when a transit driver is attacked throughout the course of their work, “ mentioned Mike Mahar, ATU Native 583 president.
Throughout sentencing, part 269.01 of the Felony Code, which offers particularly with assaults on public transit personnel, was considered.
“The sufferer on this was alone, and a senior and notably weak, is one thing that was correctly thought-about by the decide,” prosecutor Greg Piper mentioned.
Mahar says the impacts of any assault ripple throughout the town, in addition to the remainder of Canada.
“ The influence is brutal on them as people,” mentioned Mahar. “No person sees or I feel acknowledges the influence on the trade. Proper now Calgary Transit is attempting to rent 800 operators — that’s a big quantity and we’re struggling.”
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas attended the rally, joined by eight metropolis councillors.
Just like the union members who organized the rally, the mayor wore a vivid yellow shirt with the phrases ‘ ‘assault a transit operator, go to jail’ printed throughout it.
Coun. Raj Dhaliwal represents the northeast ward the place the assault on Grewal occurred.
He says council has already elevated the transit funds for additional security enhancements, however says extra must be completed.
“We have to take a look at the operational procedures of transit, particularly after darkish. What operators ought to and shouldn’t be doing. What’s the position of shift supervisor in terms of maintaining operators secure?” mentioned Dhaliwal.
Curtis Baker-Spence has been sentenced to 4 years for his position within the assault. With credit score for time spent behind bars, he has 28 months left on his sentence.
His brother, Darryl Flett, is to be sentenced in August.
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