Gagetown soldier who assaulted nurse practitioner apologizes to victim and her co-workers

A soldier from Base Gagetown who assaulted a nurse practitioner last year offered his apologies to the victim Friday, along with everyone at 42 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre, during a sentencing hearing.

"You're my family," Master Cpl. Nicholas Paulsen said, his voice cracking and appearing to fight back tears. 

He said he was sorry that his actions have made health-care workers second guess the other soldiers who come to them for help.  

Paulsen pleaded guilty earlier to forcible confinement, assault with a weapon and mischief causing property damage, relating to an incident at the clinic on March 12, 2024.

Assault had had lasting impact on victim, colleagues

The court previously heard in the statement of facts that Paulson walked into the office of nurse practitioner Dawn LeBlanc, closed the door behind him and pulled out a knife. 

Paulsen blocked the exit, but LeBlanc was eventually able to escape with the help of three others pulling on the door.

He then proceeded to stab the wall with his knife. 

The incident happened just after Paulsen received a call that he was under a unit disciplinary investigation because of a previous meeting with Leblanc, where he swore at her and slammed the office doors when he left. 

In a statement to police, he said he had just wanted to threaten her with the knife and make her understand what it was like to feel helpless.  

LeBlanc's co-worker, Lisa Chapman, addressed the court Friday and described the impact the assault has had on her and the medical centre where it took place. 

Chapman said four clinicians quit their jobs at the clinic following the assault. Chapman also said she has been in court 14 days to support the victim, resulting in hundreds of patients who would not have been seen. 

She said her own recovery has been slow and incomplete. Since the attack on her colleague, Chapman said she now has "a great deal of compassion fatigue," always wondering if her own patients could be the next aggressor. She no longer allows patients to close the door, or walk behind her. 

She asked for a different job away from patient care but was told there wasn't one, causing her to consider early retirement.

Crown prosecutor Patricia Gillet called the incident a violent, premeditated, unprovoked attack, and the impact it has had not only on the victim's life, but others as well, must be considered in sentencing. 

The court previously heard how LeBlanc continues to suffer, with insomnia, nightmares, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, flashbacks and irritability.

Gillet recommended a sentence of six months incarceration with two years' probation, including a requirement of counselling and a no-contact order with the victim.

Defence lawyer Isabelle Caissie said her 28-year-old client is a first time offender and is extremely remorseful.

She described Paulson's "severe mental health issues" leading up to the incident and his efforts to get help, which included counselling. She said he suffered a fall in 2018 resulting in recurring nerve pain in his lower back and testicle.

Caissie said Paulson had a difficult upbringing with parents who had issues with alcohol. 

She said Paulson was proud to be a member of the military and to have made something of himself. 

Caissie suggested a 12-month conditional sentence to be served at home so he can continue his rehabilitation. She agreed to the probation order suggested by the Crown. 

Provincial court Judge Natalie LeBlanc ordered that Paulsen be remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Feb. 6, when the judge will deliver her decision.