Dad assaults 2-year-old son; blames financial problems and gets probation (Burtts Corner, Canada)

More daddy coddling. Dad CHRISTOPHER RONALD LAVIGNE pleaded guilty to summary assault involving his 2-year-old son, and gets probation and (useless) anger-management classes. Daddy blames it all on his financial woes. Yea, right. Okay, if you don't like that excuse, try this one: the child was being "difficult." Nevermind that all 2-year-olds are "difficult" by definition. Nope, Daddy is avoiding all responsibility for his actions, and the system is encouraging his attitudes.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/1450717

Two-year-old boy assaulted by fatherPublished Wednesday October 26th, 2011
By DON MACPHERSON

A Burtts Corner man who struck his toddler son in the face in an effort to discipline him was granted a conditional discharge in court Tuesday for the assault.

Christopher Ronald Lavigne, 31, of 26 Jones Forks Rd. previously pleaded guilty to a July 5, 2010, count of summary assault.

Crown prosecutor Rose Campbell said Lavigne struck his two-year-old son in the face with his hand because the child was being difficult.

The assault left a red mark on the boy's face, she said.

The matter came to light because Lavigne's spouse reported the incident to authorities.

Though the victim's mother reported the assault, she later declined to co-operate with police investigating the matter, Campbell said.

Lavigne was forthcoming with RCMP officers when he was interviewed, she said.

"Mr. Lavigne said he didn't think he hit (the boy) as hard as he did," Campbell said.

The defendant also claimed the child had fallen down, exacerbating the red mark he'd left on the child's face.

He said it was the only time he's ever struck his son and attributed the incident to stress brought on by a family bankruptcy.

The prosecutor said the Crown normally seeks jail terms for people accused of abusing children, but she felt it wasn't necessary in Lavigne's case.

She noted he's already undergone counselling and anger-management training since the incident.

Campbell said Lavigne's pre-sentence report was positive, and she felt a fine would be an appropriate penalty.

Defence lawyer Edward Derrah argued his client should be granted a conditional discharge.

He said his client is a first-time offender who shouldn't be saddled with a criminal record for an issue that's been addressed.

Campbell opposed the discharge, noting it was contrary to the public interest.

Judge Julian Dickson disagreed. He said it was in the public interest for Lavigne to get the issue under control, and he's already done that.

He granted the conditional discharge, placing Lavigne on probation for six months, during which he's to undergo a mental-health assessment and treatment.

Dickson said once Lavigne has successfully completed probation, he'll have no criminal record for the assault.