By Ian Holmes

Man tells judge ‘I’m a walking weapon’ during strange sentencing

Dec 17, 2018 | 5:41 AM

NANAIMO — A Parksville man told a judge his martial arts background should require his entire body to be included in a weapons ban handed down on him.

James Rocket Yandt, 59, made the comment as he was convicted during an unusual sentencing hearing in provincial court in Nanaimo Friday.

He pleaded guilty to several charges linked to an altercation with another man on a Parksville property on June 10, 2018.

Yandt was credited for 123 days served behind bars prior to being sentenced and given one-year probation.

As part of Yandt’s post-release conditions he was handed a sweeping weapons ban, to which Yandt jokingly stated perhaps his entire body should be included in the ban.

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A confused Judge Ron Lamperson asked Yandt what he meant.

Yandt explained his body is an actual weapon due to his martial arts ability.

“I’m a walking weapon,” Yandt chuckled from the prisoner’s box.

The agreed statement of facts were laid out by Crown prosecutor Caroline Narroway who explained Yandt had a disagreement with another man on June 10, 2018.

Yandt lunged toward the other man with a folding knife, then punctured a tire on his vehicle.

“I told him I was going to take his head off and put it on top of the stolen statue that was in the front of the driveway,” Yandt told Judge Lamperson.

Yandt pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, mischief, uttering threats, and a probation breach.

He originally pleaded not guilty.

On top of a weapons ban, Yandt must provide a DNA order, while also undergoing counseling and a psychiatric assessment.

Yandt had a previous weapons conviction in Parksville in 2008, while court was told his criminal history included offences in the 1970s and 80s.

Ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes