Judge hands down absolute discharge to domestic abuser so he can be 'successful in life'

'You’re a young person with your whole life ahead of you and the implications of a criminal conviction...could have longstanding repercussions for you'

Sentencing, Judge Lori Marshall said she had no reason to doubt Saunders was a very intelligent young man who needed to find the right path (Rex Features)

A judge has granted an absolute discharge to a man who pleaded guilty to assaulting his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend so as not to prevent him from being “very successful in life”.

Lancelot Saunders pulled his ex-girlfriend Aden Savoie’s hair, pushed her and hit her with a coat hanger in April 2017, according to court documents seen by Vice.

Prosecuting attorney Jennifer Lundrigan recommended Saunders, from Newfoundland, Canada, be given a suspended sentence with one year of probation to include counselling, anger management and substance abuse treatment and a firearms ban and DNA order.

But Saunders’ defence attorney Candace Summers argued the 20-year-old was planning on going to university and that he should be given an absolute discharge, or six months probation at the most.

“He had a lower grade in his chemistry course and he’s just looking to redo that ...at which time he will be able to apply for Memorial University,” she said, adding that he “did extremely well in his advanced math courses.”

Sentencing, Judge Lori Marshall said she had no reason to doubt Saunders was a very intelligent young man who needed to find the right path.

She added: “With respect to the drug issue, I’ve been told that you did have a period when you and Miss Savoie together were using drugs but that is behind you now.”

She also praised Saunders for pleading guilty, saying it was important he had taken responsibility for the incident.

“I have to ensure that any disposition I impose on you takes into account your rehabilitation, your ability to get on with a productive life,” she added.

“You’re a young person with your whole life ahead of you and the implications of a criminal conviction, a permanent criminal record, could have longstanding repercussions for you.”