A man who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in a drug-related machete attack in 2023 was sentenced to a 16-month conditional sentence Tuesday.
Ben Edward Powell, 38, was charged with break and enter with intent to commit an offence and aggravated assault.
He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault Dec. 2, 2024.
Crown prosecutor Joanna Medjuck told Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Jennifer Oulton that Powell and the male victim were living in adjacent rooms at the Hazelwood Hotel at 344 East Hastings St. in Vancouver.
Medjuck said the victim was in his room with his girlfriend about 9 p.m. on June 19, 2023, when Powell began banging on his door, accusing him of stealing drugs.
The victim armed himself with a pipe.
Soon, Powell kicked the door in and struck the victim several times.
The victim was struck twice in the head and later taken to hospital with two cuts.
Police were called. Powell had gotten rid of the machete and gone back to his room before being arrested.
The whole incident was caught on video.
“Mr. Powell has taken responsibility for his actions,” Medjuck told Oulton.
The court heard Powell has a history of addiction issues but has been clean for some time now and remains in treatment.
Powell has a prior record, mostly for property offences.
Defence lawyer Jessica Dawkins said it has been the addiction issues which have brought him into contact with the justice system.
“He’s actively taking steps to deal with that,” she said.
Oulton warned Powell that if he does not abide by the conditional sentence, he would probably spend the rest of the sentence in custody.
