- Reaction score
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- Points
- 1,160
Sailor who injured another calls assault ‘disgusting’
`It was the worst thing I've ever done in my life'
By CHRIS LAMBIE Staff Reporter
A Halifax sailor who threw a full can of beer that caused severe
damage to a shipmate's eye told a court martial Friday he feels
horrible about the deed.
Master Seaman Richard Edward Leblanc, 35, pleaded guilty to
assaulting Leading Seaman Robin Lindhorst on Nov. 20, 2004, while
their frigate, HMCS Halifax, was docked in Norfolk, Va.
The beer can hit the victim in the head, breaking his glasses and
lodging a piece of glass in his right eye.
"It was the worst thing I've ever done in my life," Master Seaman
Leblanc said Friday.
". . . It was just disgusting."
Cmdr. Peter Lamont handed Master Seaman Leblanc a two-week suspended
sentence for the assault and for fighting with another shipmate that
same night.
"It is important that the court impose the least-severe punishment
that will maintain discipline," said the military judge.
Master Seaman Leblanc was a naval electronics sensor operator aboard
HMCS Halifax at the time of the assault.
He went out with friends on Nov. 19, 2004, returning to the ship
around 2 a.m. the next day.
"There is no suggestion that he was intoxicated," said defence lawyer
David Bright.
Master Seaman Leblanc was in the junior ranks' mess when another
sailor made a comment to one of the cooks about the quality of food
on the ship.
Another cook, Master Seaman Donald Martin, took offence to the remark
and the two started arguing.
"This argument went on for some time and Master Seaman Leblanc
attempted to stop the confrontation," said Maj. Steve Richards, the
military prosecutor.
Leading Seaman Lindhorst was sitting next to Master Seaman Martin at
the time, but he played no role in the argument.
As the dispute continued, Master Seaman Leblanc picked up a full,
unopened car of beer and threw it in their direction from about two
metres away. Then he and Master Seaman Martin rushed toward each
other and began to fight.
Several other sailors pulled them apart after a moment.
The physician's assistant on the ship later removed a piece of glass
from Leading Seaman Lindhorst's eye. The injured sailor was
transported by ambulance to a Norfolk hospital, where he underwent
surgery.
Shortly after that, he was transferred to Halifax, where a surgeon
removed the lens and cornea from his right eye to reattach the retina
and to transplant a cornea.
Since the assault, Leading Seaman Lindhorst has not been able to sail
with his ship for medical reasons. Last month, surgeons performed a
second cornea transplant on the same eye.
It's still unclear whether he'll be able to return to his former
duties, Maj. Richards said.
"At the least, it has caused considerable damage, pain and suffering
to an innocent sailor," the prosecutor said of Master Seaman's
Leblanc's actions.
At worst, throwing the beer can could end Leading Seaman Lindhorst's
military career, Maj. Richards said.
"It really goes beyond foolish or ill-advised," he said. "It's
dangerous and it's reckless."
Several sailors testified Master Seaman Leblanc's actions that night
were out of character.
"He's always very reliable," said Petty Officer 1st Class Duane
McNamara. "He's the type of person you can count on."
Master Seaman Leblanc is a "top-notch sailor," said Petty Officer 1st
Class Edward James.
"He's one of the most honest people that I've come across in my
career," Petty Officer James said. "His integrity is second to none."
Master Seaman Leblanc threw the beer can at a bulkhead "without
thinking of the potential circumstances," Mr. Bright said.
"There was clearly no intention to hit Leading Seaman Lindhorst,"
said the defence lawyer.
Master Seaman Leblanc, who holds the Southwest Asia Service Medal and
the NATO Special Services Medal, is a married father of three who has
been in the navy for nearly a decade.
He earns $62,232 a year and now works at Stadacona's Canadian Forces
Naval Operations School.
Master Seaman Martin was fined $500 at an earlier summary trial for
his role in the November 2004 tussle.
`It was the worst thing I've ever done in my life'
By CHRIS LAMBIE Staff Reporter
A Halifax sailor who threw a full can of beer that caused severe
damage to a shipmate's eye told a court martial Friday he feels
horrible about the deed.
Master Seaman Richard Edward Leblanc, 35, pleaded guilty to
assaulting Leading Seaman Robin Lindhorst on Nov. 20, 2004, while
their frigate, HMCS Halifax, was docked in Norfolk, Va.
The beer can hit the victim in the head, breaking his glasses and
lodging a piece of glass in his right eye.
"It was the worst thing I've ever done in my life," Master Seaman
Leblanc said Friday.
". . . It was just disgusting."
Cmdr. Peter Lamont handed Master Seaman Leblanc a two-week suspended
sentence for the assault and for fighting with another shipmate that
same night.
"It is important that the court impose the least-severe punishment
that will maintain discipline," said the military judge.
Master Seaman Leblanc was a naval electronics sensor operator aboard
HMCS Halifax at the time of the assault.
He went out with friends on Nov. 19, 2004, returning to the ship
around 2 a.m. the next day.
"There is no suggestion that he was intoxicated," said defence lawyer
David Bright.
Master Seaman Leblanc was in the junior ranks' mess when another
sailor made a comment to one of the cooks about the quality of food
on the ship.
Another cook, Master Seaman Donald Martin, took offence to the remark
and the two started arguing.
"This argument went on for some time and Master Seaman Leblanc
attempted to stop the confrontation," said Maj. Steve Richards, the
military prosecutor.
Leading Seaman Lindhorst was sitting next to Master Seaman Martin at
the time, but he played no role in the argument.
As the dispute continued, Master Seaman Leblanc picked up a full,
unopened car of beer and threw it in their direction from about two
metres away. Then he and Master Seaman Martin rushed toward each
other and began to fight.
Several other sailors pulled them apart after a moment.
The physician's assistant on the ship later removed a piece of glass
from Leading Seaman Lindhorst's eye. The injured sailor was
transported by ambulance to a Norfolk hospital, where he underwent
surgery.
Shortly after that, he was transferred to Halifax, where a surgeon
removed the lens and cornea from his right eye to reattach the retina
and to transplant a cornea.
Since the assault, Leading Seaman Lindhorst has not been able to sail
with his ship for medical reasons. Last month, surgeons performed a
second cornea transplant on the same eye.
It's still unclear whether he'll be able to return to his former
duties, Maj. Richards said.
"At the least, it has caused considerable damage, pain and suffering
to an innocent sailor," the prosecutor said of Master Seaman's
Leblanc's actions.
At worst, throwing the beer can could end Leading Seaman Lindhorst's
military career, Maj. Richards said.
"It really goes beyond foolish or ill-advised," he said. "It's
dangerous and it's reckless."
Several sailors testified Master Seaman Leblanc's actions that night
were out of character.
"He's always very reliable," said Petty Officer 1st Class Duane
McNamara. "He's the type of person you can count on."
Master Seaman Leblanc is a "top-notch sailor," said Petty Officer 1st
Class Edward James.
"He's one of the most honest people that I've come across in my
career," Petty Officer James said. "His integrity is second to none."
Master Seaman Leblanc threw the beer can at a bulkhead "without
thinking of the potential circumstances," Mr. Bright said.
"There was clearly no intention to hit Leading Seaman Lindhorst,"
said the defence lawyer.
Master Seaman Leblanc, who holds the Southwest Asia Service Medal and
the NATO Special Services Medal, is a married father of three who has
been in the navy for nearly a decade.
He earns $62,232 a year and now works at Stadacona's Canadian Forces
Naval Operations School.
Master Seaman Martin was fined $500 at an earlier summary trial for
his role in the November 2004 tussle.
