THUNDER BAY - A 37-year-old man who slapped and threw his girlfriend across a living room has been sentenced to 60 days behind bars by a Thunder Bay judge.
Kelly Kuper pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend, breaching two court orders and failing to comply with a no-contact order in Thunder Bay plea court on Monday, May 4.
Kuper came to police attention on March 18 after police received a call regarding a domestic dispute between himself and his on-again-off-again girlfriend, according to Crown counsel Piera Pasloski.
Court heard Kuper was aggressive and was trying to get his girlfriend’s purse. When she refused, he slapped her out of the way and threw her across the living room, Pasloski said.
It was also determined Kuper was bound by a probation order at the time of the offence.
In a separate matter, police were called to a residence in April after receiving reports of a couple fighting. When police arrived, it was determined a couple had been arguing and they located Kuper inside the residence.
According to Pasloski, Kuper had been released on bail and one of his conditions required him not to be near his girlfriend.
Defence counsel George Joseph told the court his client is an industrious man who has struggled with a drug addiction for the last seven years. On the day of the offences he was trying to get money for more drugs, Joseph said.
When asked to speak, Kuper apologized to his victim.
Justice Francesco Valente sentenced Kuper to 60 days of custody to be followed by an 18-month probation period which will allow him the opportunity for treatment and counselling for substance abuse.
