Crown, defence ask for max sentence of 2 years for youth convicted of attack at St. John's school

Crown lawyers have asked for two teens convicted of aggravated assault of a 16-year-old high school student last spring to be sentenced to several months in custody — for one, the maximum sentence of two years; for the other, 18 months.

The pair, in provincial court Friday in St. John's for a sentencing hearing. are two of five teens charged after the attack with weapons, which happened outside Prince of Wales Collegiate on March 9.

The youths involved cannot be named and the facts of the case can't be reported because of a publication ban. Both of the teens in court Friday are being tried as youths.

Lawyers gave sentencing submissions

Crown lawyers recommended one of the youths be given the maximum sentence of 24 months of custody and supervision and that the other teen receive 18 months.

Defence lawyers agreed with those recommendations, and one asked that the youth facing the lesser sentence be allowed to serve it in a way that allows him to return to the community and finish high school.

Both teens stood in court and apologized to the victim and his family.

Another of the accused, Tyler Greening, who was 18 at the time of the assault, is being tried as an adult. He has not entered a plea and is due back in court in March.

The facts of the case are banned from publication because his court matter has not yet been settled.

At Friday's hearing, the mother and aunt of the teen who was attacked gave emotional victim impact statements, speaking of the profound and ongoing impact the assault has had on them and the teen who was hospitalized.

The details of their statements are covered by the court-ordered publication ban.

Judge James Walsh did not hand down decisions for the two youths Friday. They are scheduled to be sentenced March 20.

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