SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - A man wanted by Summerside Police in connection with an assault at the Causeway Bay Motel in Summerside has been sentenced.
Police issued a warrant for Stephon C. Rodgers, 19, a former international student from the Bahamas studying at Holland College in Summerside, after an altercation at the motel on Nov. 23. Police said they were concerned Rodgers intended to leave the country.
Rodgers was arrested shortly after turning himself in to police in Montreal.
On Nov. 30, in provincial court in Summerside, Rodgers pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, a knife.
He was sentenced to serve 16 days in jail and was given credit for nine days served since his arrest in Montreal. He also has to pay a $100 victim surcharge.
There was a joint sentencing recommendation in this case from the Crown and defence counsel.
According to the facts read in court, Rodgers was living at the motel while he studied in Summerside.
On the day of the assault, Rodgers went to the room of another man living at the motel, who was also an employee of the business. He had suspected the second man had stolen items from his room and went to confront him about it. He later told police he brought a small knife with him for protection, but never intended to use it.
The two men got into a scuffle. Rodgers later told police that the knife had come out of his pocket in the altercation, and when he’d picked it up, the second man grabbed for it, resulting in cuts to the victim’s fingers.
Rodgers apologized immediately after the second man was injured and left room. He packed his bags that night and went to stay at a friend’s house for a few days before catching a bus to Montreal. He’d been scheduled to fly home to the Bahamas anyway.
It was there that Rodgers was in contact with his father, a Bahamian police officer, who informed him that Summerside Police had issued a warrant for him. Rodgers said he had no idea police were looking for him until then. He turned himself in shortly thereafter.
The Crown noted that Rodgers expressed his remorse at the situation several times and that he’d “made a mistake” by bringing a knife to the room.
Judge Jeff Lantz noted that this was a good example of what can go horribly wrong when people bring weapons to already tense situations.
The Bahamian consulate in Ottawa has been involved with Rodgers’ case. He will be deported home after his time is served.
