THUNDER BAY – A 33-year-old man will spend six years behind bars for his role in a violent home invasion two years ago, despite his previous pleas to the sentencing judge to avoid any further jail time.
Michael McCrady, found guilty of multiple charges for the May 2015 attack in a Banning Street home that left the 43-year-old victim with stab wounds, facial fractures and blunt force injuries, was sentenced by Superior Court Justice Terrence Platana at the Thunder Bay Courthouse on Thursday.
During the previous sentencing hearing, McCrady implored the judge to sentence him to serve a three-year probationary period that would have kept him out of prison to continue rehabilitation and be present to father to his son.
Platana on Thursday acknowledged McCrady’s appeal for mercy, but said factors such as protection of the public and denunciation were sentencing principles to which he had to adhere.
“I have done so to the extent I can,” the judge said.
After a four-day trial in late 2016, Platana found McCrady guilty on all counts. McCrady was sentenced on charges of break and enter, robbery, forcible confinement and breach of probation. Charges of aggravated assault and uttering threats were stayed.
McCrady was sentenced to six years, less credit for pre-sentence custody of 69 days, on the break and enter charge. Platana ordered concurrent sentences of three years for the robbery charge and six months each for the forcible confinement and breach of probation.
The court heard during the trial on the evening of May 14, 2015 two men – McCrady and Chris McKay – arrived at the Banning Street residence of Troy Bichon. McCrady forcibly entered the house and demanded money, later calling in MacKay. The ensuing confrontation led to Bichon being assaulted with a small bat and stabbed. Attempting to escape, he was thrown partially through a porch window and was subsequently pulled back into the home.
The first arriving officer found the victim laying outside and covered in blood, being treated by three paramedics.
Bichon was hospitalized for six days and required two surgeries. He suffered blunt force injuries and stab wounds including one to the right thigh that resulted in 25 per cent blood loss, facial fractures and multiple lacerations and abrasions.
Crown prosecutor Andrew Sadler had sought a minimum 10-year sentence, arguing McCrady was the leader of the attack which left the victim with serious injuries.
McCrady had previous assault convictions from four incidents between 2003 and 2013, along with multiple convictions of mischief and failure to comply with court orders.
Platana detailed the pre-sentence reports, which outlined McCrady’s childhood of abuse and victimization. He also noted multiple letters of support that had been supplied to the court by the ironworkers union, church pastors and multiple family members.
McKay was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty last year.
McCrady must also comply with a DNA order and is subjected to a lifetime weapons ban. He is also ordered not have any contact with the victim during the length of his sentence.
