R. v. Widdifield

R. v. Widdifield

Given the organized, protracted and violent nature of the extortion, the use of Club reputation to coerce, actual loss of a valuable asset and planned continuation to extract further funds, a custodial sentence in the 5–6 year range is appropriate; taking account of age, modest record, behaviour on bail and significant restitution, a five year penitentiary term is fit; restitution of $120,000 based on an expert October 2010 vessel survey is appropriate; ancillary orders for DNA, lifetime firearms prohibition and no-contact during custody are justified by statute and facts.

Citation
2015 BCSC 643
Parties
Crown: Regina; Accused: Rajinder Singh Sandhu; Accused: Robbie Henry Louis Lajeunesse; Accused: Jeffrey Andrew Benvin; Accused: Robert Frederick Widdifield
Court
Supreme Court of British Columbia
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
14 April 2015
Procedural Posture
Criminal Extortion and Theft / Sentencing (oral Reasons for Sentence)
Outcome
Accused Robert Frederick Widdifield sentenced to five years' imprisonment on Count 1 (extortion); conditional stay of proceedings entered on Count 7 (theft of the boat); ancillary orders made.
Legal Topics
Extortion, Theft, Restitution, Ancillary Orders, DNA Order, Firearms Prohibition, No Contact Order
Source Language
English
Criminal Law Sentencing Organized Crime Extortion Theft Restitution Ancillary Orders DNA Order +2 more

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Legal principles 6 Authorities cited 21 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 3
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Regina

Crown

Rajinder Singh Sandhu

Accused

Robbie Henry Louis Lajeunesse

Accused

Jeffrey Andrew Benvin

Accused

Robert Frederick Widdifield

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal Extortion and Theft / Sentencing (oral Reasons for Sentence)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Appropriate custodial sentence for organized, violent extortion
  2. 2 Whether to order restitution and amount
  3. 3 Whether ancillary orders (DNA, firearms prohibition, no-contact) are appropriate

Ratio Decidendi

Given the organized, protracted and violent nature of the extortion, the use of Club reputation to coerce, actual loss of a valuable asset and planned continuation to extract further funds, a custodial sentence in the 5–6 year range is appropriate; taking account of age, modest record, behaviour on bail and significant restitution, a five year penitentiary term is fit; restitution of $120,000 based on an expert October 2010 vessel survey is appropriate; ancillary orders for DNA, lifetime firearms prohibition and no-contact during custody are justified by statute and facts.

Court Disposition

Accused Robert Frederick Widdifield sentenced to five years' imprisonment on Count 1 (extortion); conditional stay of proceedings entered on Count 7 (theft of the boat); ancillary orders made.

Orders

  • Custodial sentence of five years' imprisonment
  • Conditional stay of proceedings on Count 7 (theft of the Dream Chaser)