Sask. man who abducted daughter to prevent her from getting COVID vaccine gets 1-year sentence, already served

A Saskatchewan man who abducted his daughter to prevent her from getting the COVID-19 vaccine was sentenced Friday morning at Court of King's Bench in Regina.

Justice MacMillan-Brown gave Michael Jackson, 55, a one-year jail sentence, which he has already more than served while his case was before the courts, two years of probation and 100 hours of community service.

Jackson spent 541 days in remand, meaning he doesn't need to serve any more jail time.

"He will be free to go today subject to the terms of the probation order," MacMillan-Brown said. 

Jackson's conditions include no contact with his daughter and her mother, who is also his ex-wife.

WATCH | Let's review the case: 

A look back at the case of a Sask. man who abducted his daughter to avoid COVID vaccine

15 days ago

Duration 3:17

Michael Jackson, 55, has been sentenced for violating a custody order and refusing to return his daughter to her mother, who wanted to get the girl a COVID vaccine. Jackson received a one-year jail sentence, which he has already served, and two years of probation.

The Crown was seeking a two-year prison sentence with credit for time served on remand, plus three years of probation and 200 hours of community service.

Crown prosecutor Zoey Kim-Zeggelaar said she was appreciative of MacMillan-Brown's breakdown of her decision.

"The judge obviously took the law and all the facts under very careful consideration and she laid out a very well-written and well-reasoned decision which really spoke to all of the factors that played in this particular case," Kim-Zeggelaar said.

A jury found Jackson guilty in April of abducting his daughter in November 2021.

Jackson did not return the then-seven-year-old girl to her mother and disappeared with the child for more than 100 days.

Police found them in Vernon, B.C., in February 2022 after tracking Jackson's phone.

Jackson was granted bail in February 2023.

In April 2024, Jackson was found guilty of contravention of a custody order after two weeks of court proceedings.

During sentencing submissions, Jackson said not being able to see his daughter since his arrest was punishment enough.

MacMillan-Brown showed no sympathy for Jackson as she read out her decision on Friday.

"Mr. Jackson is the author of his own misfortune."