R. v. Reddick

R. v. Reddick

Given the unique facts — a single dilaudid pill likely obtained by prescription, trafficked in a one‑off non‑commercial exchange, the offender's serious permanent injuries, disability and lack of prior drug convictions — the court departed from the usual two‑year benchmark for trafficking and imposed a 16 month...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
2013 NSSC 70
Parties
Crown: Her Majesty the Queen; Accused: Alexander John Reddick
Court
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
11 January 2013
Procedural Posture
Criminal Drug Trafficking / Sentencing
Outcome
Offender sentenced to 16 months imprisonment in the Correctional Centre; ancillary orders granted; no victim fine surcharge imposed.
Legal Topics
Trafficking, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act S.5(1), Sentencing Principles, Proportionality, Fifield Categories, Ancillary Orders
Source Language
english
Criminal Law Drug Offences Sentencing Trafficking Controlled Drugs and Substances Act S.5(1) Sentencing Principles Proportionality Fifield Categories +1 more

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Parties

Her Majesty the Queen

Crown

Alexander John Reddick

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal Drug Trafficking / Sentencing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Appropriate sentence for trafficking a single dilaudid pill
  2. 2 Whether the pill was lawfully obtained by prescription
  3. 3 Applicability of appellate sentencing ranges for trafficking and Fifield categories

Ratio Decidendi

Given the unique facts — a single dilaudid pill likely obtained by prescription, trafficked in a one‑off non‑commercial exchange, the offender's serious permanent injuries, disability and lack of prior drug convictions — the court departed from the usual two‑year benchmark for trafficking and imposed a 16 month custodial sentence in the Correctional Centre while still imposing denunciation and deterrence objectives and granting ancillary orders.

Court Disposition

Offender sentenced to 16 months imprisonment in the Correctional Centre; ancillary orders granted; no victim fine surcharge imposed.

Orders

  • 16 months imprisonment in the Correctional Centre
  • Weapons prohibition order under s.109 of the Criminal Code for ten years