THUNDER BAY - A man with a lengthy criminal record pleaded guilty to a number of charges including uttering threats to the paramedics that were helping him while he was intoxicated earlier this year.
Delford Matthews, 36, on Tuesday, April 14 pleaded guilty to two counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, one count of assaulting a peace officer and failing to comply with a probation order in Thunder Bay plea court.
Matthews was sentenced to just over two months of time served by Justice Elaine A. Burton.
Court heard on Feb. 9, police and ambulance were called to the area of Camelot Street after receiving reports of a male on the ground. When emergency personnel arrived, they located a man with glossy eyes, who was unsteady on his feet, according to the Crown counsel, who spoke via audio.
The man, later identified as Matthews, agreed to go in the ambulance with police following behind. After a few minutes, the ambulance pulled over with its lights flashing. The officer who was following attended the back of the ambulance and found Matthews screaming and sitting up in the hospital bed.
According to the Crown, he had broken free and had become aggressive with the paramedics. During this incident, Matthews threatened to kill the paramedic and the police officer.
The police officer had to hold down Matthews from striking the paramedics and from kicking the constable, court heard.
Once Matthews was medically cleared he was taken to the police station on Balmoral Street and while being processed, he told the officer he would remember his face and kill him.
It was also determined Matthews was bound by probation order at the time to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Defence counsel Justin McConnell told the court over the phone on Thursday, his client has limited memory of the situation due to his intoxication level at the time of the offence.
McConnell also said Matthews is remorseful about what happened. He has spent 64 days in pre-sentence custody at the Thunder Bay District Jail and was awarded credit on an enhanced basis of 96 days.
Burton also placed Matthews on a 12-month probation period. Part of his probation will require him to attend counselling for alcohol abuse and anger management if so ordered.
He also received a five-year weapons prohibition.
“You better start doing something about your drinking, it’s time to stop that,” Burton said. “There is no excuse for your behaviour.”
