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.