Dad who endlessly harasses wife, kidnaps child gets 14 months in jail (Calgary, Canada)

Dad MICHAEL JOSEPH HIBBS is quite a piece of work. Despite a parenting order prohibiting him from access until he completed drug rehab, Dad has continually harassed his estranged wife for money, forced his way into his estranged wife's house, assaulted his father-in-law, took the 4-year-old daughter away in a speeding car (on dad's lap no less, as he couldn't be bothered with niceties like a car seat), threatened to burn the wife's house down, and so on and so on. Dad has pleaded guilty to 11 charges of this stuff before. Kids need a dad like this guy?

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Calgary+harassed+wife+sentenced+months/1870837/story.html

Calgary man who harassed wife sentenced to 14 months

By Daryl Slade, Calgary Herald August 9, 2009

CALGARY - A man who criminally harassed his estranged wife in an effort to gain access to his young children has been sentenced to 14 months in jail.

Provincial court Judge Sean Dunnigan said Michael Joseph Hibbs committed several offences despite a parenting order prohibiting him from access until he completed drug rehabilitation, which he refused to do.

"The most egregious acts involved Mr. Hibbs forcing his way into a dwelling occupied by his four-year-old daughter, his estranged wife and her father, using a garden tool and then brute force," said Semenuk.

"He assaulted the father, who was trying to protect everyone from Mr. Hibbs, then spirited away his four-year-old daughter in a speeding car with the child unrestrained sitting on his lap."
Hibbs had previously pleaded guilty to 11 charges, including break and enter, careless driving, being unlawfully in a dwelling, assault, uttering threats, mischief causing damage to the door of the home, criminal harassment and several breaches.

Crown prosecutor Sarah Stewart argued that Hibbs should get four to five years for the incidents on Aug. 6, 2008, noting he also threatened his wife several times, told her he'd harm her father and would burn her northwest house down.

Defence lawyer Brandi Aymont had told the judge Hibbs should get double credit for nine months already spent in custody and not spend any more time behind bars.

Court heard Hibbs called his wife numerous times that day, saying he needed money to buy smokes and gas, becoming angrier with each call.

He then broke into the home, punched his father-in-law who tried to protect his daughter and grandaughter, and took the child.

He came up behind another car at about 100 kilometres per hour on Charleswood Drive N.W., and cut in front to change lanes.

He later attempted to evade police by turning into alleys and side streets, but was nabbed in a traffic stop.

When police arrested him, the unbuckled child was on his lap and Hibbs did not have on his seat belt.

The judge gave the offender credit for 10 months already served, leaving four months to go.

Hibbs also must take counselling for domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as for psychiatric and psychological issues.

He must not attend his estranged wife's home or have contact with her, his father-in-law or his children unless approved by probation.

Hibbs must provide a DNA sample and is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or weapons for five years.