Athabasca – An Athabasca man who lit his co-worker’s pants on fire in late 2021 faces a year of probation as part of a conditional discharge.
In Athabasca Court of Justice July 31, Stephen Wasieczko pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon as part of a joint submission from defence attorney Richard Forbes and Crown prosecutor Patricia Hankinson. Wasieczko was scheduled to stand trial but changed his plea last minute as part of the joint submission.
Justice Gordon Putnam accepted the joint submission, stating given the nature of the event a criminal record would impede Wasieczko’s future job prospects, and an additional charge of assault was withdrawn by Hankinson.
During his address to the court, Justice Putnam deemed the joint submission conditions “fit and proper,” adding that Wasieczko’s lack of a criminal history was a factor in sentencing. Hankinson told court that on Dec. 3, 2021, Wasieczko and the victim were both employed at a shop located outside the Town of Athabasca where he sprayed brake fluid on the victim’s pants then ignited the clothing. Hankinson said victim was uninjured and the pants weren’t damaged.
According to Forbes, Wasieczko moved to extinguish the flames after the victim’s pants ignited, but the incident was escalated to a criminal matter by Wasieczko’s employer. Forbes also told the court Wasieczko, who was present, is now a stay-at-home father after losing his job due to the charges, and voiced words of regret on behalf of his client, acknowledging the potential for danger when fire is involved.
Conditions of the discharge follow standard probationary terms, including no direct or indirect contact with the victim. Wasieczko will also be required to submit a DNA sample to the Athabasca RCMP.