Image

No jail time for throwing pregnant woman out a window

March 22, 2021

Alex Kurial
The Independent

A Sarnia woman is promising to address her long-standing addiction after a “horrific” record of alcohol abuse.
Beverly Dykstra, 44, came to Sarnia court with a record even her lawyer says is “horrific.”
“Each and every time it’s an incident where alcohol is involved, as is the case yet again here,” says Defence Lawyer Terry Brandon.
Dysktra was already on two separate probation orders the morning of June 5 ,when a Sarnia police officer was alerted to her house by a woman crying for help outside. The pregnant woman was found cut and bloodied. The woman told the officer she was Dysktra’s friend and spent the night at her East St. house drinking and smoking marijuana. But things took a turn when Dykstra accused the woman of breaking items. Dykstra attacked her and forcibly threw her out of the house.
“Your record is concerning, and it’s concerning that not only are you struggling with an addiction issue, but that when under the influence you are committing criminal offences and acting out in a violent manner,” said Justice Krista Leszczynski.
Dysktra has been taking regular counselling for anger management and domestic violence since the assault.
Brandon says the woman’s “taking of responsibility, the guilty plea, the totality of the context, the positive engagement with probation,” allowed her to strike a deal not to go to jail. “But for that state of affairs, frankly the record would have seen Ms. Dykstra facing real jail time.”
Dykstra spent one day in pre-sentence custody, which Leszczynski agreed would cover the crime.
“Ms. Dykstra fully appreciates that reality from the many conversations she’s had with me,” Brandon says of her client’s avoidance of more jail.
“She seems to be taking her situation in life seriously.”
Dysktra will be on probation for 12 months, cannot contact or go near the woman she attacked, and receives a five year weapons ban.

The Local Journalism Initiative supports the creation of original civic journalism that covers the diverse needs of underserved communities across Canada.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Forest Kiwanis hope a mandarin, apple and cucumber can raise some cash for Kineto

February 7, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent “Why would somebody give 6.2 million for a banana on the wall?” That’s what Forest’s Jose Van Haastert thought after seeing what a crypto billionaire paid for a piece of conceptual art with a banana on the wall. Her family talked about the massive price tag for the art over Christmas. But the idea got Van Haastert,

Read More

Image
News

New scholarship program at Great Lakes created in honour of late Sarnia judge

February 7, 2025

Students in St. Clair Township and Sarnia will be able to apply for a new scholarship program, named in honour of an Ontario Court Justice from Sarnia. The Sarnia Community Foundation says the family of the late Anne McFadyen has set up an annual scholarship program, similar to LCCVI’s Nicol Scholarships. It will honour five graduating students from Great Lakes

Read More

Front Page

Driver taken to hospital after Inwood accident

February 7, 2025

An Alvinston woman had to be taken to hospital after an accident near Inwood Monday. Lambton OPP have yet to release any details about the crash Monday morning which occurred during foggy conditions. Witnesses say two vehicles, a van and large pickup truck, collided at the corner of Inwood and Shiloh Line Monday morning. The van was T-boned. Brooke-Alvinston Fire

Read More

Image
Sports

LCCVI on top of girls high school hockey standings

February 7, 2025

LCCVI moved into a first place tie with Chatham-Kent Secondary School in girls’ high school hockey this week with a 2-1 win over the Golden Hawks in Chatham. The Lancers are 2-0-2 in the south division this season. The regular season wraps up late next week. Playoff dates have yet to be announced.

Read More