A man who slashed another man’s face with a knife in the McIntyre subdivision has received a 10-month custodial sentence with credit for time served.

Territorial Judge Michael Cozens sentenced Wesley Quash, 28, in territorial court on Thursday.

The incident dates back to Oct. 15, 2017.

Steven Smith was drunk and walking out in public. He was heading to his girlfriend’s home to play radio bingo.

He passed by Quash, who was in a parked car with his father also playing radio bingo. Quash was sober at the time.

Smith was being loud. Quash stepped out of the vehicle and asked him why he was being loud.

Smith stopped and said he was not being loud but had the right to be. He quickly approached Quash, who felt threatened.

Quash took a pocket knife he had purchased that day and swung it at Smith, leaving a deep gash from his chin to below his ear.

Cozens said this reaction was excessive even if Quash felt threatened. He added there was no need to use that level of force.

The injury has left a scar and caused nerve damage. Smith suffers from psychological injuries as well. He will have to take medication, as a result of the injury, for the rest of his life.

Cozens next touched upon Quash’s personal circumstances.

He said Quash’s family has been plagued with issues. Some family members were victims of the ’60s scoop, and others have a history with residential school experiences.

Quash’s father has spent time in jail. Quash himself was a victim of violence as a child.

His mother abandoned him at some point in his childhood. He would later learn she had died, but he refused to believe it.

This caused some hardship on the young man. He started drinking as a teen due to depression caused over his mother.

Cozens pointed out that Quash is seen as a good worker by his employer. He works in the mining sector.

The judge said there is conflicting information about Quash suffering from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). That said, Quash reports that he knows his drinking leads to bad decisions.

Cozens said Quash has been trying to avoid Smith in an effort to “give him space.” He added Quash has stated he will never forgive himself over the incident.

The judge recognized that Quash needs a high level of supervision because he has demonstrated he is capable of causing harm. That said, he felt the risk of causing harm is low when Quash is sober. Should he drink, the risk will increase.

He pointed out that Quash has low cognitive abilities and does not suffer from mental health issues. That said, Quash has demonstrated a paranoia of others.

Moving to the sentencing, Cozens said Smith’s injury was severe.

He explained that if the wound had been just inches lower, it could have been a homicide.

He said neither man was looking for a fight and neither needed to respond to the other at any point during the encounter.

“This is a really severe offence,” Cozens said.

The judge clarified that he does not blame Smith for the incident, as he never intended to assault Quash.

He considered the severity of the injury and the use of a knife as aggravating.

As for mitigating circumstances, Cozens pointed to the Gladue factors reference earlier. He also looked at Quash’s work history.

Quash had taken this matter to trial because he felt he had been acting in self-defence.

Cozens said he would not be giving him credit for that, but he did recognize that Quash is remorseful for his actions.

He clarified that Quash did not take the matter to trial out of a lack of remorse.

The judge felt that considering Quash’s cognitive abilities, he can’t be held to the same standards as can others.

He felt Quash has shown he can be productive, so a sentence to promote that is needed.

With that, Cozens gave Quash to a 10-month custodial sentenced. He also awarded Quash credit for time already served. This totals 3 1⁄2 months.

Quash will also be subject to a 30-month probation order.

During this time, he is to have no contact with Smith and must stay in the Yukon. He will have to report to his probation officer upon release from custody.

Quash will have to perform 60 hours’ community service.

He will be bound by a 10-year firearm prohibition, must submit a DNA sample and pay a $200 victim fine surcharge.

Cozens considered imposing an alcohol ban on the man, but decided against it. He explained this might be a factor in Quash’s overall life, but concluded it did not play a role in the knife attack.

“I thought about it,” he said.

He clarified that he did not want to create a situation where Quash would end up back before the court over a breach.

Quash was taken into custody after the sentencing hearing.