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A young Nanaimo teenager has been sentenced for assaulting a classmate with severe intellectual challenges. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Youth justice

Nanaimo youth sentenced for assaulting vulnerable classmate

Oct 10, 2026 | 9:24 AM

NANAIMO — Punching a victim several times in the head and face while walking home from school led to an assault conviction for a young offender.

The incident took place on March 13, 2026, involving the offender, 13 years old at the time, and a victim described at Nanaimo Law Courts as having the intellectual capacity of a four- to five-year-old.

The offender elected to plead guilty as opposed to the matter proceeding to trial.

Names of the parties involved can’t be published under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The complainant was walking home from school when the offender threw a pine cone at him, outlined Crown counsel Meghan Rahme.

According to an agreed statement of facts, the victim grabbed the offender’s backpack, then received several punches, which didn’t lead to long-lasting injuries.

Another student in the vicinity intervened to break up the altercation.

Defence attorney James Arends told court his client has since performed well on release conditions and is undergoing counselling.

In offering context to the offence, Arends noted his client himself has some developmental issues, adding the victim’s brother also got involved.

“There were certain issues of self-defence and a consensual fight were at play here…”

The offender was handed a conditional discharge and six months probation.

Court was told the offender benefits from supportive parents, who were in court for the Oct. 1 sentencing hearing.

Judge Brian Harvey told the offender that he won’t have a youth record if he abides by his probation conditions, which includes counselling provisions and no contact with the victim, with the exception of incidental contact at school.

“To your credit you’ve taken responsibility, and you’ve done well on bail,” judge Harvey said.

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