Earlier this week in Bracebridge court, a Muskoka woman pleaded guilty to assaulting a Huntsville High School student.
On Tuesday, April Macleod, 41, pleaded guilty to assault.
In a statement of facts, court heard that on September 17, 2020, a group of Grade 12 students from Huntsville High School were on a scavenger hunt near the Summit Centre, when they commented on smelling marijuana. Court heard that Macleod then emerged from the woods nearby with two other parties and told them to mind their own business.
Later the groups once again crossed paths and an altercation ensued, wherein Macleod admitted to slapping one of the students in the back of the head. Macleod alleged that some members of the group had been involved in the bullying of a family member on previous occasions, although she admitted she didn’t know the person she had assaulted.
The defence asked for a discharge, as Macleod has no criminal record and there was “extreme provocation” over a number of years on the part of the students.
The Crown said no evidence of bullying had been proven, and he would not accept it as a mitigating factor. The Crown said even if there was evidence bullying took place, it did not give justification for a grown woman to assault a 17-year-old.
The Crown argued for a suspended sentence and probation.
Justice Jonathan Bliss said regardless of past bullying, the behaviour was not acceptable.
Speaking on the matter of sentencing, Macleod said she had a “zero tolerance” for bullying, and she faulted the parents of the students for their behaviour.
Justice Bliss said he will decide sentencing later this month.
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As a grown woman I agree that MacLeod should NOT get away with this or any other form of assault. She may forget this in the future & do this again. But what could have happened when she slapped the student in the head; the student could have fallen forward gotten a concussion or worse. A lesson needs to taught here that no matter who you are bullying or hitting students will NOT be tolerated. Set an example to all.
What a waste of court time and money something like this is.