R. v. Shrubsall

R. v. Shrubsall

The Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the offender met the statutory thresholds under s.753(1)(a)(i),(ii),(iii) and s.753(1)(b): there is a pattern of repetitive and persistent aggressive behaviour, brutality in offences, a demonstrated failure to control sexual impulses, and a high likelihood of causing...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
2001 NSSC 197
Parties
Applicant (crown): Her Majesty the Queen; Accused: William Chandler Shrubsall
Court
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
21 December 2001
Procedural Posture
Dangerous Offender Application / Determination and Sentencing (decision Rendered)
Outcome
Offender declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment
Legal Topics
Dangerous Offender Designation, Predicate Offence, Risk Assessment, Psychopathy, Expert Evidence, Pattern Analysis, Long Term Supervision
Source Language
english
Criminal Law Sentencing Dangerous Offender Law Sexual Offences Violent Crime Dangerous Offender Designation Predicate Offence Risk Assessment +4 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 12 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Her Majesty the Queen

Applicant (crown)

William Chandler Shrubsall

Accused

Procedural Posture

Dangerous Offender Application / Determination and Sentencing (decision Rendered)

  1. 1 Whether the Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the offender met the thresholds in s.753(1)(a)(i),(ii),(iii) and s.753(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
  2. 2 Admissibility and weight of unprosecuted criminal conduct and hearsay in dangerous offender proceedings
  3. 3 Reliance on actuarial instruments and expert opinion without direct interview

Ratio Decidendi

The Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the offender met the statutory thresholds under s.753(1)(a)(i),(ii),(iii) and s.753(1)(b): there is a pattern of repetitive and persistent aggressive behaviour, brutality in offences, a demonstrated failure to control sexual impulses, and a high likelihood of causing death, serious injury or psychological harm in the future. Expert opinion and actuarial instruments supported a finding of severe narcissistic/antisocial personality disorder with strong psychopathic traits and a high risk of violent and sexual recidivism with poor treatment prospects; the Court exercised its residual discretion in favor of designation and imposed an...

Court Disposition

Offender declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment

Orders

  • Offender designated a dangerous offender under s.753 of the Criminal Code
  • Sentence: indeterminate term of imprisonment (no fixed release date)