Anthony Rouskov Nielsen unleashed a horrifying stabbing attack against a Nanaimo couple on Dec. 18, 2021 (Facebook)

By Ian Holmes

judgment

Man jailed for brutal near fatal knife attack of Nanaimo couple

Dec 20, 2023 | 11:09 AM

NANAIMO — The man responsible for nearly killing a senior couple in their home will spend the next two and a half years behind bars.

Anthony Rouskov Nielsen was sentenced on Wednesday, Dec. 20 to five-and-a-half years in jail, however was credited for time served since his arrest immediately following the December 2021 attack.

The sentence means Nielsen will be incarcerated for a further 942 days, to be served in a federal penitentiary. He’ll also be subject to a 10 year weapons ban post-release and be ordered to submit a DNA sample.

His mother and father were in court during proceedings Wednesday morning with his father sobbing as provincial court judge Tamara Hodge read out the sentence.

“Mr Nielsen’s actions on Dec. 18, 2021 were extremely violent and callous and had long-lasting and devastating effects on the victims. His actions call for a strong sentence to separate him from society,” judge Hodge said.

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Nielsen pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of aggravated assault.

The Crown’s Jill Vivian had pushed for a seven year jail sentence, while defence attorney Roberto Alberto requested a time-served sentence followed by an extended stay at a Lower Mainland residential treatment centre.

The maximum sentence for aggravated assault is 14 years in prison, however past case law typically sees a sentence of 16 months to six years issued.

Nielsen had a sentencing hearing held earlier this month nearly two years after severely injuring a couple in their late 60’s at their Northumberland Ave. home near the Terminal Park shopping centre.

Facts of the case stated Nielsen, now 21-years-old, was in a crystal meth-induced psychosis when he assaulted Barbara King with a knife and baseball bat, and also stabbed her husband Rick several times.

The Kings received life-threatening injuries, as well as ongoing psychological impacts.

Nielsen grew up in the immediate neighbourhood and later reconnected with the Kings who allowed the offender a bedroom in their home for about three months ending in February 2021 when he was told he wasn’t welcome anymore.

On the evening of Dec. 18, 2021 Nielsen left his supportive housing apartment on Boundary Cres. In a cab and was dropped off about 400 meters from the crime scene.

While wearing a mask partially concealing his face, Nielsen entered the home of Rick and Barbara King unexpectedly and immediately started stabbing Barbara before hitting her with a baseball bat while she was on the floor.

Her husband was then pushed down the stairs by Nielsen, who then continued stabbing Barbara several times, followed by stabbing Rick multiple times as well.

A heavy police presence followed the Northumberland Ave. stabbing/bat attack (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

“Mr. Nielsen stopped taking his prescribed medication, he was using cannabis, cocaine and alcohol at the time of the offence. There is evidence of a certain level of planning fort his attack. This is not a street fight or one-punch incident, this was an unexpected, unprovoked attack on two people known to Mr. Nielsen,” judge Hodge said.

The Kings were rushed to nearby Nanaimo hospital, with both identifying Nielsen as the attacker.

Nielsen was arrested the same evening at his apartment complex and transported to the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.

During an ensuing interview, Nielsen denied responsibility for the attack, however he was heard in the police interview room, which was vacant at the time, implicating himself.

“Rick King, he’s not dead yet, he’s not dead at all, you didn’t f***ing stab him enough, you should have stabbed him in the f***ing chest,” Nielsen said, who added “he’s a joke” and he didn’t know what had happened and was going to jail for a long time.

Nielsen stated demons “are here now” and he also referenced throwing his knife with his fingerprints onto the street.

The weapon was never recovered.

A psychiatric report stated Nielsen would be a high-risk for future impulsive, violent behaviour if he affected by the symptoms of psychosis.

While evidence showed Nielsen was under a drug-induced psychosis, Judge Hodge said she was unable to conclude that Neilsen was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the offence.

“That may have caused him to have auditory hallucinations and caused the motivations behind the attacks, but there’s no evidence that he was suffering from a mental disorder…” judge Hodge said.

Nielsen had an unsupportive upbringing in a home riddled with violence, substance abuse and neglect, Hodge noted.

The offender has a lower IQ and diagnosed with mild intellectual disabilities which appears to impede managing his impulsivity and engage in treatment, the judge noted.

“But I’m not of the view that it calls for a significant reduction in the appropriate sentence,”

Judge Hodge acknowledged the offender’s Indigenous heritage, demonstrated remorse for his actions and willingness to seek treatment.

Wearing a prison-issued Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre sweatshirt, Nielsen appeared shaken after hearing the judgment.

B.C. Corrections will decide where he’ll serve his sentence.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes